Local councils continue with opening prayers

After refraining from opening prayer for a few weeks following the Supreme Court of Canada's April
ruling on a Quebec case, Mayer Norm Mayer re-opened a discussion on the matter during the June
15 committee of the whole meeting.
"I know there's some concerns about the court case," he said, but suggested council return to its
practice of opening prayers. "I guess some of the information that came out of the Quebec conflict
was that the council there was pretty specific as to how and what the prayers were going to be
about, where I think we have had an open situation with the Ministerial Association and various
religious individuals have come for a prayer and it's almost a non-denominational types of situation
as far as I'm concerned."

His understanding was that councils could include prayers in meetings as long as they don't advance
a particular religious purpose, "violating the principle of the state's neutrality."
However, Coun. Wayne Throndson, who is a lawyer, opined that the decision was quite broad and
has ramifications for councils across the country.
"My reading of that decision suggests that any form of non-denominational prayer to a deity is
potentially offside with the Supreme Court of Canada ruling," said Throndson. "I think we are
exposed to criticism, if not complaint, in the Human Rights Tribunal."
He suggested a way around the ruling would be to hold a prayer privately before public council
meetings begin.
"I'm willing to let common sense prevail and that we would continue to do it," said Coun. Bill Sears,
who suggested inviting those from a broader range of faiths, such as First Nations representatives,
to open meetings as well.
Coun. Max Lindstrand was also in favour of continuing the practice.
"We may have to expand, as Coun. Sears suggested, those involved beyond the Ministerial
Association as we become more multicultural - the Muslim community, the Jewish community and
various other of the world religions," said Lindstrand.
Coun. Agnes Hoveland supported this approach as well.

"I see this as a sad commentary on us. When you go into the parliament building in Ottawa and I've
been at the Peace Tower, there's scripture engraved up there. It's part of Canada to acknowledge
our creator - in a non-denominational, non-sectarian way," she said.
"The essence of the Supreme Court of Canada decision is that, as a public institution, we can't
promote, necessarily, that there is a creator," pointed out Throndson.
"It seems crystal clear to me that we run afoul of the Supreme Court of Canada decision," he
continued, with Coun. PJ Stasko's agreement. "I don't see a way around it, and I think we expose the
taxpayers to a potential lawsuit."
"I think we will proceed, and if we get challenged then we'll deal with it at that stage," said Mayer,
concluding the discussion.
Both city and county councils of Camrose invited clergy to open their most recent regular meetings
with prayer.
Other councils across the country have opted to continue with prayers, though some, such as one in
Peterborough, Ont., have avoided direct defiance of the ruling by allowing a moment of silence to
contemplate the principles of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which some argue
paradoxically affirms "the supremacy of God" while ensuring freedom from religion imposed by the
state.
http://www.camrosecanadian.com/2015/06/24/local-councils-continue-with-opening-prayers