Montreal to remove crucifix from council chamber

The City of Montreal announced Wednesday it will take down the crucifix that has hung in its council chamber for more than 80 years and move it to a new home.

The issue of crucifixes in legislative chambers across Quebec — in particular the one prominently displayed at the provincial legislature in Quebec City — has been central to the province’s debate over secularism.

Coun. Laurence Lavigne Lalonde told the city’s executive committee meeting that the crucifix, on display above the main door of the council chamber since 1937, will be removed ahead of three years of scheduled renovation work at city hall.

Lavigne Lalonde said the crucifix was installed in a different era to remind councillors of the oath before God that they took and, it won’t be put back in the chamber when city hall reopens.

“I think we can agree the context has changed today,” Lavigne Lalonde said, noting society is now represented by democratic institutions that are secular, neutral and open.

While Montreal is moving forward, the provincial Coalition Avenir Quebec government remains opposed to removing the crucifix from the legislature, although the premier said his caucus would discuss the issue.

The crucifix was first installed above the Speaker’s chair in the national assembly in 1936, and successive provincial governments have rejected requests to remove the symbol. That includes the Coalition government, which said last October it is an important part of Quebec’s heritage.

The debate comes as the government moves to impose strict religious neutrality rules on state employees in positions of authority, including teachers, judges and police officers, who would be forbidden from wearing visible religious symbols. Legislation is expected in the coming weeks.

“The City of Montreal has the power to take down the crucifix,” Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness Minister Simon JolinBarrette told reporters Wednesday in Quebec City. “The national assembly has always decided to maintain it, and that’s the position of the government, because it’s a patrimonial symbol.”

Questioned separately about Montreal’s move, Premier Francois Legault said the crucifix issue would be discussed at caucus.

“Everyone must make compromises. We’ll look at positions of different voices in caucus, and we’ll come back to you,” Legault told reporters. “It’s all part of secularism discussions.”