Ending a tradition, no prayer at Regina city council

For the first time in many years, Regina city council did not start its regular meeting with a prayer.

The change follows arecent Supreme Court ruling.

On April 15, thecourt ruled the municipal council in the Quebec town of Saguenay cannot open its meetings with a Catholic prayer because it infringes on freedom of conscience and religion.

Many municipal councils across Canada, includingRegina's, moved quickly to end the practice.

"We no longer have a prayer at this council," Fougere said at the beginning of Monday'smeeting. "We, of course, have nochoice, whether we like it or not. We're going to proceed by upholding the law."

Fougere said it might be possible to say something at the beginning of the meeting to set the tone, but that's a discussion council can have on another day.