The daily prayer will remain part Canada’s House of Commons traditions–at least for now.
Speaker Andrew Scheer says he has no plans to drop the prayer despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that has caused much debate on the matter.
The High Court ruled that the reading of a prayer at council meetings in Saguenay, Quebec infringed on freedom of conscience and religion.
A spokesperson for Mr. Scheer says the current practice is part of the standing orders of the House and the Speaker has no intention of changing that.
The spokesperson says MPs who want to end or modify the prayer recital in the Commons must propose the changes themselves.
Some members of parliament from the governing Conservatives want to keep the prayer in the Commons as it is.
The New Democratic Party leader of the Official Opposition, Tom Mulcair, supports the practice of the Quebec provincial legislature where members observe a moment of contemplation.
The leader of the federal Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, says he believes it’s important to have a moment of solemn reflection. But, he says, it has to be done in a fashion that respects everyone.
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