Quebec Sparks Debate with Law Banning Prayer in Public Spaces

The Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités (FQM) has warned of potential consequences of the Secularism Enhancement Bill that the Quebec provincial government is working to pass, which proposes banning prayer in public spaces and institutions. There are concerns that the law’s wording is vague, putting municipalities in a difficult position when enforcing it.

The bill, introduced by the government of François Legault and known in the media as Bill 9, has drawn criticism from many groups. It does not only prohibit prayer in streets and parks but also bans prayer rooms in educational institutions such as colleges and universities, and restricts public religious gatherings unless prior permission is obtained from local authorities. Organizations that violate the law could face fines of up to approximately CAD 1,125.

The Quebec government stated that the law aims to strengthen state neutrality, noting that some public religious gatherings, especially those related to events in the Middle East, have disrupted traffic and caused inconvenience to citizens.

However, opposition from human rights organizations and religious groups has been strong, arguing that the law violates constitutional freedoms such as freedom of worship, expression, and assembly, and disproportionately affects religious minorities, particularly Muslims in Canada.

The proposed restrictions on religious symbols in workplaces and schools, as well as banning exclusive religious meals in public institutions, have sparked further debate about the limits of secularism in Quebec society, which continues to engage in discussions about the relationship between religion and the state.

The bill is still under discussion and amendment in the Quebec Parliament before becoming law, with human rights organizations and civil society closely monitoring how the legislation balances personal freedoms with government secularism policies.

This post is also available in: العربية