QUEBEC CITY — The Quebec government says it will move ahead with legislation this fall to ban prayer in public spaces, part of a broader plan to reinforce the province’s secularism laws.
Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge announced Thursday that the bill will outlaw the practice of praying in streets, parks, and other public places, echoing concerns Premier François Legault raised last December. At the time, Legault said he was uneasy about street prayers, particularly those linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Montreal, including outside Notre-Dame Basilica.
“The rise of street prayers is a serious and sensitive issue in Quebec,” Roberge said in a written statement. He did not clarify whether the government would invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield the law from constitutional challenges, though Legault previously suggested the option was under consideration.
The Canadian Muslim Forum said it was “deeply concerned,” warning that a blanket ban would stigmatize communities and fuel exclusion.
The proposal comes as the Coalition Avenir Québec government explores new secularism measures, including extending the province’s ban on religious symbols in the workplace to all public school staff. An independent report released this week recommended limiting religious accommodations but stopped short of advocating for a total ban on public prayer, suggesting instead that municipalities regulate the issue.
Critics say the province risks undermining social cohesion, while supporters argue the legislation reflects Quebec’s collective values. The bill’s details are expected when the National Assembly reconvenes this fall.