December 4th, 2006
Written by Jody Johnson, Owen Sound Bayshore Broadcasting Corp.

It seems a number of local municipalities are in violation of the law. Many councils engage in reciting the "Lord's Prayer" prior to their council meetings.

The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in 1996 that this practice is illegal and a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights. In a letter to Chatsworth council, Secular Ontario states 'it is totally unacceptable in a democratic society for any official government body to act illegally.' Secular Ontario wants councils 'to put an end to the offending practice immediately.'

Chatsworth Mayor Howard Greig says his council will continue if there is no objection from the public. He says saying the Lord's Prayer has been past practice for many years, and is in full support of it. Chatsworth Deputy Mayor and Grey County's 2006 Warden, Bob Pringle says he will strive to have the right to say the prayer. He says council's should be allowed to recite the prayer prior their the council meetings.

In Grey and Bruce Counties, many council's recite the Lord's Prayer including Owen Sound, West Grey and Grey County. Many other municipalities have a moment of reflection, silence or prayer including Grey Highlands, Meaford and South Bruce Peninsula.

December 5th, 2006
Written by Jim Birchard, Owen Sound Bayshore Broadcasting Corp.

Lots of support for Chatsworth Council's decision to continue to say the Lord's Prayer before every Council meeting.

allers to the CFOS Open Line as part of the Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre stated that Canadian society is going just too far so as not to offend other religious groups. One caller says when people move to this country thay should understand it is a Christian nation and the Lords Prayer should be recited at Council meetings. Another caller, a minister stated that he found it scary that we are using the charter of rights and freedoms to actually restrict our freedom of speech.

However a small number of callers say there should be a separation of church and state and the Lords prayer should be replaced with a moment of silent mediation.

...

December 07, 2006
Jon Radojkovic, For www.owensoundsuntimes.com

Chatsworth Council plans to keep praying, despite receiving a letter that says reciting the Lord's Prayer at Council meetings is against the law. "We have not offended anyone," said Mayor Howard Greig.

Secular Ontario has sent letters to Councils across the province that still recite the Lord's Prayer. The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in 1996 that reciting the prayer at public government functions is in violation of the Charter of Rights.

"We've (Council) agreed that our past practice will continue," Greig said. "No one (from the municipality) has ever objected to the prayer." Asked if Council would go to court over it, Greig said Council would look at that option if it comes up. "I can't imagine this organization taking all the municipalities to court over this," he added.

Greig pointed out that Grey County Council and Owen Sound city Council say the Lord's Prayer before each Council meeting as well. The Lord's Prayer was recited at county Council Tuesday although the county received the same letter, he said. "Nothing has changed."