Three-quarters of Canadians think government meetings should start without any formal ceremony or pause, according to a recent public opinion poll by the Angus Reid Institute. This is in keeping with a recent unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Canada against city councillors in the town of Saguenay, Quebec who wanted the right to recite a short prayer before conducting municipal business.
The high court’s decision prompted change in cities and towns across Canada. Among them Regina, Ottawa and Calgary suspended the council prayers they had held in favour of a moment of silent reflection.
Canada is becoming an increasingly secular society. The survey of more than 1,500 Canadian adults found younger Canadians more likely to support the court’s decision, while those 55 years and older were more likely to oppose it.
In spite of the majority secular view on prayer at public meetings, only seven per cent of respondents wanted the national anthem changed to remove any reference to God.
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