{"id":38724,"date":"2025-12-02T14:37:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T19:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=38724"},"modified":"2025-12-02T14:37:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T19:37:04","slug":"quebecs-bill-9-closing-the-public-square-to-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2025\/12\/02\/quebecs-bill-9-closing-the-public-square-to-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"Quebec&#8217;s Bill 9 &#8211; Closing the Public Square to Prayer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Qu\u00e9bec government recently introduced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.assnat.qc.ca\/Media\/Process.aspx?MediaId=ANQ.Vigie.Bll.DocumentGenerique_215931en&amp;process=Default&amp;token=ZyMoxNwUn8ikQ+TRKYwPCjWrKwg+vIv9rjij7p3xLGTZDmLVSmJLoqe\/vG7\/YWzz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>. The bill\u2019s stated goal is to strengthen secularism (laicit\u00e9) in the province, including by closing the public square to prayer \u2013 unless it is pre-authorized by the municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bill 9 builds on and significantly expands Bill 21, Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s 2019 state secularism law. Bill 21, now known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/95lx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Act respecting the laicity of the State<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em> prohibits certain civil servants (for example, teachers and police officers) from wearing religious symbols in the workplace. Bill 9 pushes the idea of secularism much further and again invokes the notwithstanding clause to protect the law from constitutional challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ban on Religious Practices in Public Places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bill 9 introduces a new statute, the <em>Act to foster religious neutrality, in particular in the public space<\/em>. Among other things, this law would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prohibit the use of public roads and public parks for collective religious practices without municipal pre-authorization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow municipalities to authorize collective religious practices only if they:<ul><li>Do not compromise safety<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are brief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are open\/accessible to everyone (e.g. cannot exclude anyone on the basis of a <em>Charter <\/em>protected ground of discrimination)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prohibit a person from limiting, hindering or disrupting religious practices in a place of worship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limit the ability to make accommodation requests on the grounds of religion, including in the workplace, daycares, and schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill defines religious practice as \u201cany action\u201d that reasonably constitutes \u201cthe manifestation of a religious conviction or belief,\u201d other than wearing a religious symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill does, in effect, close the public square to prayer that is not pre-authorized by the municipality. It also raises serious questions about whether, for example, a group of women could meet for bible study in the park; a group of students could participate in street ministry; or a seniors ministry gather for a prayer walk. While none of these would conceivably compromise safety, it is unclear how &#8220;brief&#8221; the practice must be, and each of these excludes people on the basis of a <em>Charter<\/em> protected ground (sex\/gender, age).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is encouraging to see that places of worship are more strongly protected. At the same time, it raises the question of why existing laws are not used to address concerns about accessing places of worship (e.g. bylaw and criminal code offences).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expand Secularism in Public Institutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bill 9 also amends and broadens Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s existing secularism law, the <a href=\"https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/95lx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Act respecting the laicity of the State<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em>CQLR c L-03. It would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extend the existing ban on wearing religious symbols in certain public positions to include subsidized daycare centres, subsidized home educational childcare providers, and accredited private schools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prohibit \u201call religious practice\u201d in these places and specifically ban \u201covert prayers and other similar practices\u201d in schools, including accredited private schools. Religious practices could only occur as optional activities that take place outside of school time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill creates some exceptions to the general ban on religious practices. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In healthcare institutions, if the religious practice doesn\u2019t impact quality of care, operations, or patients\u2019 well-being<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In correctional facilities, and places to be specified in regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In municipalities, if certain conditions are met:<ul><li>The government body does not fund the practice<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All groups who want to lease or use the space are treated equitably<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The space is not used \u201cpredominantly\u201d for the religious practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The expanded secularism legislation would also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Require everyone to have their faces uncovered when giving or receiving public education services;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prohibit public institutions from offering meals or food based on religious diets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establish secularism as a \u201cfoundation of national integration\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a permanent role of Minister Responsible for Laicity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grant the Minister power to \u201cverify compliance\u201d with the Act<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amend Other Laws to Impose Secularism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bill 9 impacts other legislation to either amend or repeal several acts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/xwv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Act respecting private education<\/em><\/a>, CQLR c E-9.1<ul><li>Bill 9 would deny accreditation \u2013 and therefore access to subsidies \u2013 for private, faith-based schools. It would be phased in over a three-year period.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Faith-based schools are those whose services, selection of students or selection of staff are based on religious criteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/xts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Freedom of Worship Act<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em>CQLR c L-2<ul><li>Bill 9 would repeal this law.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although the Act uses outdated language (e.g. it speaks to a person driving on horseback or in a carriage at a pace faster than a slow and moderate trot!), its main goal is to ensure \u201cgood order\u201d and avoid disturbances near churches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/910b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Act to foster adherence to State religious neutrality and, in particular, to provide a framework for requests for accommodation<\/em><\/a>, CQLR c R-26.2.01<ul><li>Bill 9 would repeal this law.This Act imposes a duty of religious neutrality on public servants and lists criteria to be taken into account for religious accommodation requests.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This Act would be replaced by the new <em>Act to foster religious neutrality in particular in the public <\/em>space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given the Qu\u00e9bec government\u2019s robust defence of Bill 21 it seems unlikely that constitutional criticism will slow or stop Bill 9, especially with the use of the notwithstanding clause. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/montrealgazette.com\/news\/provincial_politics\/quebec-plans-to-ban-street-prayers-as-it-moves-to-beef-up-secularism-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one media report<\/a>, the Secularism Minister explained that Qu\u00e9becers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c\u2026can wish someone merry Christmas. We can sing Christmas songs. This is nothing but tradition. But we shouldn\u2019t make any references to the birth of baby Jesus. [\u2026] When we wish someone a merry Christmas, we can think of Santa Claus and his elves, but nothing Catholic.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One <a href=\"https:\/\/ccla.org\/press-release\/quebecs-bill-9-masks-discrimination-as-secularism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">civil liberties group<\/a> already described Bill 9 as \u201ca clear and alarming infringement of freedom of religion, expression, peaceful assembly and equality.\u201d The bill is expected to move through the normal legislative process, including public hearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand that Bill 9 raises serious concerns about religious freedom \u2013 not only in Qu\u00e9bec, but how it could impact Canada as a whole \u2013 and will continue to monitor the progress of Bill 9. We\u2019ll share updates on its status, how stakeholders respond, and whether the government makes any significant amendments before it passes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Qu\u00e9bec government recently introduced Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Qu\u00e9bec. The bill\u2019s stated goal is to strengthen secularism (laicit\u00e9) in the province, including by closing the public square to prayer \u2013 unless it is pre-authorized by the municipality. Bill 9 builds on and significantly&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2025\/12\/02\/quebecs-bill-9-closing-the-public-square-to-prayer\/\" class=\"linkbutton\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":38726,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"Three young women sitting on a wooden bench, praying with eyes closed. Brightly coloured tulips appear in the background. Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@priscilladupreez?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Priscilla Du Preez \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/three-women-wearing-blue-denim-jeans-sitting-on-gray-wooden-bench-DAFh1p9huAE?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a>","footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[138,187,141],"series":[],"class_list":["post-38724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-law-and-religion","tag-quebec","tag-religious-freedom"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Quebec&#039;s Bill 9 - Closing the Public Square to Prayer? - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This post unpacks what&#039;s in Quebec\u2019s Bill 9 and what it could mean for public prayer, religious schools, and people of faith.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2025\/12\/02\/quebecs-bill-9-closing-the-public-square-to-prayer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Quebec&#039;s Bill 9 - Closing the Public Square to Prayer? 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