The Daily Program

Prayers

The practice of reading prayers at the start of each sitting day dates back to 1877. Since that time the sectarian nature of the prayers, the references to the Sovereign and the tradition of excluding the public have all been the source of some discussion. Various committees on reform of the House have proposed alternatives, including revised wording, admitting the public before prayers are read, and inviting representatives of various faiths practised in Canada to come to lead the House in prayer each sitting day.

Although no changes to the practices concerning prayers were agreed to during Speaker Fraser’s term, he was called upon to make a key ruling concerning the provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the reading of the prayers. The ruling is included in this section of the chapter.