MONTREAL – Quebec’s Court of Appeal has ruled that prayers said before council meetings in the town of Saguenay do not infringe on a person’s freedom of religion.
With just under 145,000 people, the town of Saguenay is located about 210 kilometres north of Quebec City.
In 2011, the Human Rights Tribunal in Quebec heard a case involving the Quebec Secular Movement and Saguenay resident Alain Simoneau who were unhappy with the fact that religious prayers were said before council meetings.
The tribunal ruled in their favour, noting that the crucifix hanging in council chambers and the prayers said before council meetings were discriminatory.
The mayor of Saguenay, Jean Tremblay, refused to abide by the ruling and appealed the decision.
On Monday, Quebec’s highest court ruled that Tremblay, an outspoken Catholic, would be allowed to continue his religious observances.
The court noted that saying prayers does not come into conflict with the moral convictions of residents who aren’t religious.
It also stated that Saguenay’s democratic process was not undermined by religious symbols.
However, the court did note that the Tremblay used his position as mayor of Saguenay to promote his religious views.
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