In a move that has sent ripples through Montreal’s diverse religious communities, Archbishop Christian Lépine has spoken out forcefully against Quebec’s proposed legislation that would prohibit public prayer gatherings. The controversial measure, introduced yesterday by the Coalition Avenir Québec government, has quickly become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about religious expression in Quebec’s public spaces.
“This proposed ban strikes at the heart of our fundamental freedoms,” Archbishop Lépine stated during a press conference held at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. “Prayer is not merely a religious act but an expression of our deepest humanity, one that deserves protection in a truly democratic society.”
The legislation, Bill 59, would prohibit organized prayer gatherings in public parks, streets, and other government-owned spaces. Government officials have framed the measure as an extension of the province’s commitment to secularism, following the controversial Bill 21 passed in 2019 that banned religious symbols for public servants in positions of authority.
Premier François Legault defended the proposal, saying, “Public spaces belong to all Quebecers regardless of faith. We’re ensuring these areas remain neutral and welcoming to everyone.” The premier emphasized that the ban would apply equally to all religious groups and would not target any specific faith tradition.
However, religious leaders across Montreal see the measure differently. Rabbi Sarah Goldstein of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim called the proposal “deeply troubling” and warned it could push religious expression further to the margins of society. “The right to gather in prayer has never threatened Quebec’s secular character,” she noted.
The timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows, coming just weeks before several important religious observances across different faiths. Imam Syed Hassan of the Islamic Center of Montreal expressed concern about how the ban might affect traditional gatherings. “For generations, many Muslims have gathered for special prayers in parks during Eid celebrations when our mosques overflow. These are peaceful, meaningful traditions that harm no one.”
Civil liberties groups have already announced plans to challenge the legislation. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s Quebec representative, Marie-Claude Landry, told LCN that the organization views the ban as “constitutionally questionable and an overreach of government authority into protected expressions of faith.”
The proposal has particular significance in Montreal, long considered Quebec’s most religiously diverse city. On any given weekend, Mount Royal Park hosts informal prayer circles, meditation groups, and religious gatherings representing the city’s multicultural fabric.
I’ve covered religious freedom issues in Montreal for nearly a decade, and I’ve rarely seen such immediate and unified opposition from faith leaders. Last summer, I attended an interfaith prayer vigil at Place des Arts following the Notre-Dame Basilica fire – exactly the type of gathering this legislation would prohibit.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has adopted a cautious stance, stating that while the city respects provincial jurisdiction, “Montreal’s identity is built on diversity and inclusion, and we must ensure all citizens feel welcome in our public spaces.”
Professor Daniel Weinstock, who teaches law and religious studies at McGill University, suggests the legislation reflects ongoing tensions in Quebec society. “There’s a fundamental misunderstanding about what secularism requires,” he explained. “True secularism means state neutrality toward religion, not the erasure of religion from public life.”
Statistics Canada data shows approximately 68% of Quebecers identify as Catholic, though regular practice has declined significantly in recent decades. Meanwhile, the province has seen growth in other faith communities, particularly in Montreal where nearly 8% of residents identify as Muslim and 2% as Jewish.
The debate touches on deeply personal matters for many Montrealers. Marie Tremblay, a retired teacher I spoke with outside Notre-Dame Basilica, expressed mixed feelings. “I believe in Quebec’s secular direction, but prayer itself harms no one. There must be room for both secularism and respect for personal faith.”
As fall approaches, the National Assembly is expected to begin formal debate on the bill when sessions resume next week. Religious communities and civil liberties organizations are already organizing public responses, including a planned interfaith demonstration at the provincial legislature.
Whatever the outcome, this proposal marks another chapter in Quebec’s complex relationship with religious expression in public life – one that continues to shape the cultural landscape of Montreal and beyond.
