Ontario group threatens court action over Lord's Prayer

Ontario municipal councils risk being taken to court if they continue to start their meetings with the Lord's Prayer, says an Ottawa-based group of atheists and agnostics.

Using the traditional Christian prayer in council is illegal and sends the wrong message, says Sheila Ayala, a member of Secular Ontario.

"I think what they're saying at council meetings when they say the Lord's Prayer is that this council is only for Christians — it's not for anyone else. And that's wrong."

The group said there are 18 Ontario municipalities that still say the Lord's Prayer as part of council proceedings, flouting a 1999 Ontario ruling that found the practice violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.