3 options for council prayer

Photo: Contributed

Kelowna city council will be given three options as it tries to determine how to handle a Supreme Court of Canada ruling on prayer in council chambers.

In its decision earlier this month, the Supreme Court unanimously concluded the state must maintain a strict neutrality in religious matters and can neither favour nor hinder any particular belief, including non-belief.

Reciting a prayer at or before a council meeting is now considered a breach of that neutrality according to the decision.

Prayer prior to a city council meeting in Kelowna began in January of 1956 following the election of Mayor James Ladd. It was stopped in 1994 and reinstated in 2000.

A prayer is recited by a councillor prior to the Tuesday evening agenda. Councillors can choose from 26 existing prayers or recite one of their choosing.

Despite its long standing tradition, the Supreme Court decision determined historical tradition was not a valid reason to continue the practice.

Council asked staff to bring back information and options for consideration.

These include:

1. Suspend the recital of a prayer at Tuesday evening regular meetings. This option would ensure Council is compliant with the SCC decision.
2. Continue with the recital of a prayer at Tuesday evening regular meetings. Note non-denominational prayers were still considered by the SCC to be religious in nature. Council would be continuing with a practice the SCC has determined is contrary to law. The City would be open to legal challenge. A challenge could be made at either the Supreme Court of BC, or to the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Multiple challenges could be made to either or both bodies, although there is some question whether such a complaint would fall under the BC Human Rights Tribunal’s jurisdiction.
3. Replace the prayer with a moment of personal silent reflection at Tuesday evening regular meetings. This option provides for individual silent prayer to any deity or deities of a person's choice, while also providing an opportunity for others to reflect in any secular manner as they see fit.

Council will review the options at its Monday morning meeting.