Thoughts on Prayers: An Analysis of Prayers in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 2003-2019.

• Date: 22 September 2021
• Author: Bondaroff, Teale N. Phelps

Proponents claim that the practice of starting each day's sitting of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (BC) with a prayer delivered by a different member affords more opportunities for representation of minority and non-religious viewpoints in what is otherwise a very Christian tradition. An analysis of 873 prayers delivered in the Legislature from October 6, 2003 to February 12, 2019 demonstrated that the actual practice is otherwise. The prayers are predominantly, and increasingly, religious, and fewer individual members are choosing to deliver one. While the practice was renamed in the Standing Orders to "prayers and reflections" in late 2019, this article posits that the practice, which fails to reflect the diversity of beliefs in BC, should be abolished.

Introduction

In November 2019, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (BC) voted unanimously to amend Standing Order 25, which establishes the routine business of the legislature. The amendment changed "the first item of business after the arrival of the Speaker's Procession in the Chamber" from 'prayers' to 'prayers and reflections.' (1) Additionally, in October 2019, the Clerk updated the list of sample prayers that are provided to MLAs, such that it now includes prayers from a number of faith traditions. While it is too soon to gauge the impact of this change on the content of the prayers and reflections delivered in the Legislature, it is clear that this change was made as a means of making this element of routine business more inclusive.

The question of whether the content of the prayers delivered in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia accurately reflects the diversity of the population was one of the key questions explored in House of Prayers, a recent report released by the BC Humanist Association (BCHA). House of Prayers examined every available prayer (873) delivered in the Legislature from October 6, 2003 to February 12, 2019. (2) This study built on the work of Bueckert, Parisotto, and Roberts, published in this journal, who investigated the religion of prayers delivered prior to Speeches from the Throne. (3) Here we offer a summary of the quantitative findings of House of Prayers, which represented the first comprehensive investigation into the content of daily prayers in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. In so doing, our intention is to contribute to the discussion surrounding legislative prayer in Canada. Those interested in more details relating to the findings and analysis within House of Prayers, the coding and methodology used, recommendations, and an in-depth examination of the various issues relating to legislative prayer should consult that report. Legislative Prayer Across Canada

The practice of beginning legislative sittings with prayers in Westminster parliaments is believed to have been first adopted by the British Parliament in 1558, during the reign of Elizabeth I, and was adopted in Canada in 1877. (4) The Canadian House of Commons and the Senate both begin sittings with the Speaker reading a standard 'non-denominational' prayer, followed by time for silent reflection.

With respect to legislative prayer, there exists considerable variation of practices across Canada. We reached out to Clerks and Speakers across the country, examined standing orders, and reviewed Hansard, (5) and identified the following practices:

* Yukon: The Speaker reads one of four standard prayers.

* Alberta: The Speaker reads a prayer of their own devising. The current Speaker delivers 'nondenominational' prayer similar to that delivered at the UK parliament, while the previous Speaker would write prayers before each session.

* Northwest Territories: MLAs deliver prayer of their own devising, with the occasional 'drum prayer' also being delivered.

* Nunavut: MLAs deliver prayer of their own devising.

* Saskatchewan: The Speaker reads a standard 'nondenominational' prayer.

* Manitoba: The Speaker reads a standard 'nondenominational' prayer.

* Ontario: The Speaker reads the Lord's Prayer. Since 2008, this has been followed by the reading of a prayer from a rotating schedule including Indigenous, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i and Sikh prayers.

* Quebec: Begins sittings of the National Assembly with a quiet 'moment of reflection,' having abolished the practice of opening sittings with a prayer in 1976.

* New Brunswick: MLA reads prayers to God and Jesus for the well-being of the Queen and Lieutenant Governor General, followed by the Lord's Prayer, both in French and English (or blended).

* Newfoundland and Labrador: Has never opened sessions with a prayer.

* Nova Scotia: The Speaker reads a shortened version of the Lord's Prayer, which was written by Speaker Mitchell in 1972.

* Prince Edward Island: The Speaker reads prayers to God and Jesus for the well-being of the Queen and Lieutenant Governor General, followed by the Lord's Prayer. (6)

Prayer Procedures in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

'Prayers and reflections' are delivered immediately once the Speaker calls Members to order. On days when a Speech from the Throne is to be delivered, a faith leader or Indigenous leader or Elder is invited to deliver the prayer. The general daily practice is for a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to deliver a prayer or reflection. The current edition of Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia elaborates that typically, "the Speaker will invite a Member to 'lead the House in prayer or reflection,' the Member having been previously designated by their Caucus Whip." (7) The Member can deliver a prayer or reflection of their own devising, or read one from a list of sample prayers provided by the Clerk.

Legislative procedures note that content delivered during this portion of the agenda "may be of any faith or denomination, maybe reflective of different cultural traditions, may be a traditional land acknowledgement, and may also be a moment of reflection." (8) It is also worth noting that the prayers and reflections are delivered "with both officers and strangers present and are the only proceedings not transcribed verbatim for publication in the Hansard transcript." (9)

In October 2019, the list of sample prayers was updated "to ensure that prepared prayers provide a breadth of non-religious reflections, as well as prayers from major religious groups." (10) The five previous sample prayers were edited and re-worded: One was replaced, the word 'Amen' dropped from the ending of the remaining four, and one had references to 'God' removed. The list was also expanded to include a 'Traditional Land Acknowledgement' and prayers representing the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu...