Iqaluit councillor will move to end prayer at city council meetings

Iqaluit city councillorKenny Bell says he will make a motionto drop a prayer from council meetings and replace it with a one-minute moment of silence,following a Supreme Court decision that has hadan impactacross the country.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the municipal council in Saguenay, Quebec, cannot open its meetings with a prayer. The court said that reciting a Catholic prayer at council meetings infringes on freedom of conscience and religion.

The decision has set off a string of decisions from municipal councils across Canada to dropprayer from their meetings, including Edmonton and Calgary.

Iqaluit mayor Mary Wilmanhas started her city council meetings with a prayer since she took over the position in June of 2014. On Tuesday, it was recited by councillor Joanasie Akumalik, in Inuktitut.

All councillors and observers in attendance stood for the prayer, except Bell, who remained seated in support of the Supreme Court's ruling.

"It's just, my faith doesn't have anything to do with my decision-making," says Bell, "and I know if you're specifically praying one certain way, then you're not being inclusive to your whole population."

Bell says he's not against a prayer, but says it's important for city council to be inclusive. He says he plans to make a motion at the next council meeting Tuesday, May 12 to drop the prayer.

Iqaluitdeputy mayor Romeyn Stevenson told CBC he'll second the motion, saying that, like Bell, he has nothing against praying or reflection, but that the city can't impose one religion on people and should respect the court's decision.

Mayor Wilman has not yet responded to a request from CBC for comment.