The French government relaxed some of its lockdown restrictions earlier this month, but did not ease the ban on collective worship.

As restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta begin to ease, places of worship can now begin to offer in-person services to more people.

Despite long opposition, Outremont is allowing the building of a new synagogue.

Members of the Hasidic community feel targeted and say the ban is a turf war.

Citizens in Outremont will vote in a referendum Sunday on whether to overturn a bylaw banning places of worship on Bernard Avenue.

"Last night was a bit of a fiasco," borough councillor Mindy Pollak said. "We're restarting the process after getting to a point where citizens had already been called upon to express themselves."

The register would ask citizens who are opposed to the bylaw change to come out and vote. With enough votes the borough can call a referendum.