Montreal: The Quebec government’s plan to prohibit public prayer has triggered a wave of criticism from religious leaders, civil rights advocates, and faith communities, with Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine warning that such a law would undermine the most basic freedoms guaranteed in a democratic society.
In a public letter posted to the archdiocese’s website and later published in La Presse, Archbishop Lépine argued that banning prayer in public spaces would erode the rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Quebec’s own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “At its core, to forbid public prayer would be somewhat like forbidding thought itself,” the archbishop wrote, adding that in a world already shaken by economic, social, and environmental crises, silencing gestures of faith and solidarity would further discourage hope.
The archbishop warned that the proposed measure, introduced by Quebec Premier François Legault, would jeopardize longstanding cultural and religious traditions deeply rooted in the province. Events such as Palm Sunday processions, the feast of Corpus Christi, and the traditional Way of the Cross could be endangered under such a ban, he cautioned. Lépine even suggested that Pope Francis’ penitential pilgrimage to Quebec in 2022 might not have been possible if the proposed restrictions were in place.
The proposal has also drawn strong opposition from the broader Catholic hierarchy in Quebec. Bishop Martin Laliberté, president of the Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops, expressed shock at the government’s suggestion, describing it as discriminatory and unworkable. In an open letter, the bishops warned that the ban would inevitably single out minority faith groups and stigmatize their presence in public life. “Prayer is not dangerous,” Laliberté wrote, insisting that suppressing it would not only violate constitutional rights but also deepen social division.
The debate over prayer in Quebec stems in part from a series of highly visible Islamic prayer gatherings linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2024, including weekly assemblies in Old Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica square. Images of large groups praying outdoors circulated widely, fueling political pressure on Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec party to act. On August 28, Quebec’s secularism minister Jean-François Roberge announced that legislation would be tabled this fall to formally ban prayer in streets and other public venues. The government has yet to clarify whether it will invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield the measure from constitutional challenges.
Civil liberties advocates have been quick to condemn the proposal. The Canadian Constitution Foundation said the move represented an “assault on the constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion.” Litigation director Christine Van Geyn acknowledged the need to prevent disruptions such as blocked streets, but argued that existing laws already provide tools to address those concerns. “Banning all public prayer in Quebec violates the very freedoms that make Canada better than a theocracy,” she said.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) echoed those criticisms, describing the proposal as “a clear infringement” on freedom of religion, expression, and assembly. Harini Sivalingam, the CCLA’s director, warned that “suppressing peaceful religious expression, individually or communally, under the guise of secularism marginalizes faith-based communities and undermines principles of inclusion and equality.” Executive Director Howard Sapers further raised concerns about governments misusing the notwithstanding clause to bypass fundamental rights.
Muslim organizations have also voiced their opposition. The Canadian Muslim Forum said public prayers form part of constitutionally protected freedoms and accused the Quebec government of fueling stigmatization and exclusion. “The government should be focused on solving real problems, not policing the fundamental rights of its citizens,” the group stated.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of shifting political dynamics in Quebec. With provincial elections scheduled for 2026, Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec has seen its popularity decline, suffering recent byelection losses to the Parti Québécois. Analysts note that issues of identity, secularism, and cultural values are once again shaping political discourse, with the proposed prayer ban becoming the latest flashpoint in the province’s ongoing struggle to define its secular character while balancing fundamental freedoms.