The City of Saguenay and Mayor Jean Tremblay has been ordered to pay $30,000 in moral and punitive damages by a Quebec Human Rights Tribunal to a citizen for discriminating against his freedom of religion and conscience. The City and the mayor were also ordered to remove a crucifix and a Sacred Heart statue from city council meetings as well as to stop reciting a prayer before each city council meeting.
“By reciting a prayer and displaying religious symbols in a hall where all citizens are invited to participate in the life of a democratic municipality, the Mayor and the City of Saguenay did not respect its obligation to remain neutral,” said the Tribunal.
In spite of the ruling, it appears that Quebec’s National Assembly will not follow suit. A crucifix placed over the Speaker’s chair will stay put.