As part of an effort to promote secularism in the province, the government of Quebec has stated that it intends to prohibit prayer in public places. The announcement implements a suggestion Premier François Legault made in December, when he stated that he did not want to see people praying in public parks or on the streets. On Thursday, Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge confirmed he will table legislation this fall to outlaw the practice.
In a written statement, he stated, “The rise of street prayers is a serious and sensitive issue in Quebec.” “Our government expressed its unease with this growing phenomenon, especially in Montreal, in December,” Roberge didn’t say if the government would use the notwithstanding clause, which would let the bill override some parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, so it’s unclear whether the government would use it. Last year, the premier said he was considering that possibility.The move comes amid simmering tension in Quebec over Muslim prayers taking place as part of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.“ When I see people praying on their knees in the streets, I believe we must ask the question. Legault stated last year that “I don’t think it’s something we should see.” The Canadian Muslim Forum expressed its deep concern regarding the news in a statement released on Thursday. “A blanket ban would stigmatize communities, fuel exclusion, and undermine Quebec’s social cohesion,” the group said.
The legislation would be one component of a larger effort by the Coalition Avenir Québec government to broaden secularism regulations, which would also include extending the province’s ban on religious symbols in the workplace to all public school employees. It comes after an independent committee made 50 recommendations to the government earlier this week on how to strengthen secularism. In a nearly 300-page report, the committee suggested limiting religious accommodations and extending the religious symbols ban to daycare workers.The committee, headed by two lawyers, also looked at the question of public prayer, but stopped short of recommending a blanket ban. Instead, the report said it should be up to municipalities to regulate the practice.
“The preservation of religious practices that do not unduly harm public order,” according to the authors, they attempted to strike a balance between upholding Quebec’s collective values and The Canadian Press first published this report in August. 28, 2025.
Quebec government to table bill to ban prayer in public places
