The BC Humanist Association is threatening legal action over the District of Tobique Valley's decision to continue to recite the Lord's Prayer at every council meeting. The practice was challenged by local residents for violating constitutional prohibitions on government-sponsored religious practices. District staff instead asked residents to ‘sit out’ during the prayer.
As documented in the BCHA's recent report Godless Serenity, Tobique Valley's council meetings have been opening with the Lord's Prayer since the community was formed after the province's 2023 amalgamations. The practice is a clear violation of the principles established by the Supreme Court of Canada in Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay. That landmark 2015 decision affirmed the state's duty of religious neutrality.
Local residents Carol and Brian challenged the practice earlier this year.
“Faith chosen freely can inspire,” Carol said. “No citizen should have to share a religion in order to feel fully represented by their government.”
According to Carol, when they asked to present their concerns to Council, the Chief Administrative Officer suggested that they could step outside the meeting during its recitation rather than discontinue the illegal practice altogether. Both were able to present to Council on April 20, 2026.
Carol told Council:
"The continued use of the Lord’s Prayer at the opening of council meetings creates a barrier for full and equal participation for some residents. Municipal Governments represent all members of communities, regardless of personal beliefs. In the case of Mouvement laique Québecois v Saguenay city, decision of the Supreme Court of Canada affirms the expectation of neutrality in public institutions. We are therefore requesting that council replaces the prayer with a moment of reflection to include all members of the community."
While Brian added his concern with the CAO's response:
"Second, we raised this concern with the CAO and did not receive a timely response. When a reply was received, the suggestion was made that we attend after the prayer concluded. This does not address the underlining issue of the inclusive acts to public meetings, and it is not a reasonable accommodation. We are asking that council to review both practices of opening meetings with the prayer and a standard of time appropriate administrative responses to the residents."
Council considered the presentation at its May 4, 2026, special meeting and ultimately "no motion was put forward." Following the recent elections, Council voted at its June 15th meeting to maintain the prayer practice over the objections.
“The solution for Tobique Valley is clear, and the law is even clearer: End the illegal prayer practices,” said Ian Bushfield, Executive Director of the BC Humanist Association.
The BC Humanist Association is supporting these residents in their efforts to bring municipal practices into compliance with constitutional requirements regarding religious neutrality. Previously, the BCHA threatened legal action against the Cities of Vancouver and Parksville over prayers in the 2022 inaugural council meetings. Both municipalities apologized and conceded that the practices were unconstitutional.
The BCHA has asked the District to respond by July 10, 2026, after which the matter will be referred "to legal counsel to consider all possible remedies."
In Saguenay, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that government bodies may not use public institutions to promote or favour a particular religious belief. The decision has since served as the leading authority on religious neutrality in municipal governance across Canada.
Tobique Valley was identified as one of several municipalities maintaining prayer practices in the BC Humanist Association’s latest report in the Saguenay Project. The initiative monitors compliance with the Supreme Court's decision and advocates for equal treatment and freedom of conscience for all Canadians.
Tobique Valley was formed from the Village of Plaster Rock following recent municipal amalgamations. The BCHA was unable to confirm the practice at Plaster Rock council before amalgamation.