Ontario Legislature adds Baha’i text to set of new opening prayers

Toronto, Ontario, 19 June 2008 (CBNS) — In a move towards greater religious inclusivity, Ontario legislators voted late last week to supplement the daily recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in the Ontario Legislature with prayers from several other major religious traditions, including a Baha’i prayer.

The Ontario Legislature building, where new prayers will now be said. [Photo by wyliepoon]MPP’s voted unanimously 58-0 to retain the Lord’s Prayer but also to add a second prayer said in rotation. Other sacred texts selected for the new prayer list include: Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Sikh, and Native. As well, a non-denominational prayer blessing Queen Elizabeth and a moment of silence have also been added out of respect for those with other religious beliefs.

Premier Dalton McGuinty first raised the question of how to move the Ontario Legislature prayer practice “to a more inclusive approach that reflects 21st century Ontario” back in February. Since then, more than 20,000 Ontario residents wrote in, the vast majority wishing to retain the Lord’s Prayer and the practice of prayer in the Legislature, more generally.

An all-party committee, which spent months studying the issue and invited many groups, including the Baha’i Community of Canada, to submit feedback, eventually came to the multi-faith recommendation.

Within days of the change to the Ontario Legislature prayer practice, news coverage of the story was picked up by more than 100 Canadian newspapers and radio stations across the country, including articles in the National Post and Globe & Mail.