Montreal transit agency stops workplace prayers as new law comes into effect

Advertisement

Advertise with us

MONTREAL - Montreal's public transit agency is telling employees they can no longer pray on workplace property, as parts of Quebec's new secularism law come into effect on Sept. 1.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

MONTREAL – Montreal’s public transit agency is telling employees they can no longer pray on workplace property, as parts of Quebec’s new secularism law come into effect on Sept. 1.

The Quebec government adopted a law in April that prohibits prayer rooms in public institutions which include colleges, universities and transit agencies.

It also banned public prayer without explicit municipal consent.

A student performs his afternoon prayer in the prayer room organized by the Muslim Students' Association, at Concordia University in Montreal, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
A student performs his afternoon prayer in the prayer room organized by the Muslim Students' Association, at Concordia University in Montreal, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

The Société de transport de Montréal says it has four rooms that employees can use for silent activities such as meditation and yoga, and that could previously be used for prayer. 

The agency says signs have been posted outside the rooms to remind people of the ban, and said supervisors who witness religious practices should address the matter with the employee.

A spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims says the new law undercuts Quebecers’ religious freedoms while sowing division in the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2026. 

Report Error Submit a Tip

The Free Press acknowledges the financial support it receives from members of the city’s faith community, which makes our coverage of religion possible.

More Stories

Discrediting independent media is the game plan

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

Discrediting independent media is the game plan

Editorial 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

United States President Donald Trump’s decision to bar several news organizations from White House briefings is, thanks to a court decision, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Read
2:00 AM CDT

Uncaring hubby fell flat at first hurdle

Maureen Scurfield 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I re-rented my favourite summer cabin this fall because I’m trying to finish my thesis. My husband of just over a year was very annoyed with me for going on my own, but didn’t say much about it because I paid.

I thought we were both OK with this arrangement, until I got the flu up at the lake very badly and couldn’t keep anything down. I felt faint. I phoned him and he said he was at a party with the guys. I could hear music and girls laughing.

He wouldn’t come for me, so at 4 a.m. when I was getting even more sick and scared, I drove back to the city unannounced.

I went straight to my parents’ house and pretty much fell through the door. Mom said to me when she grabbed me: “This is not right. You could have died in the ditch. Where is your husband?”

Museum warehouse holds the history of electrical power in Manitoba

Sheldon Birnie 8 minute read Preview

Museum warehouse holds the history of electrical power in Manitoba

Sheldon Birnie 8 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

The work it takes to bring any endeavour to light is rarely, if ever, seen by those who look upon the final result — be that a creative work such as a feature film or a museum display.

Since 2001, the Manitoba Electrical Museum and Education Centre, located at 680 Harrow St., has provided thousands of visitors with a century’s worth of history on electrical power in Manitoba.

“Everyone who comes in here is amazed at how much we can pack into such a small space,” says executive director Beryth Strong, who took on the role last November.

The museum is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and hosts large groups of students throughout the school year. While the museum itself boasts numerous displays featuring approximately 220 electrical artifacts, including household appliances, computers, telephones, technical gear and much more, along with a collection of nearly 20,000 photos documenting major electrical construction projects, its warehouse just south of McGillivray Boulevard houses thousands more unique items.

Read
6:00 AM CDT

The wheels on the bus burned down, down, down…

Russell Wangersky 7 minute read Preview

The wheels on the bus burned down, down, down…

Russell Wangersky 7 minute read Saturday, Sep. 26, 2026

Up on the high ground, a year after the big forest fire in Newfoundland’s Conception Bay North, and the bare rock is startling.

It’s ghostly. The little birds flit and chirp from the naked silver bare-wood branches, and a solitary northern flicker makes its call from — somewhere. But mostly, it’s still, and silent. With the underbrush gone, you can see how little animal life is here right now.

But the most astounding thing is underfoot. On the high rock behind Adam’s Cove and away from the sea, not only are the trees and low brush gone, but much of the soil has burned away as well.

It burned very, very hot.

Read
Saturday, Sep. 26, 2026

Bombers let another one slip away and face pivotal issue

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers let another one slip away and face pivotal issue

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Saturday, Sep. 26, 2026

Mike O’Shea summed it up best.

“That one doesn’t feel very good.”

Nor should it.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers started out hot Friday night, only to run out of gas down the stretch and allow the visiting Toronto Argonauts to steal a 30-28 victory.

Read
Saturday, Sep. 26, 2026

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, 2026

Free Press staff 4 minute read Preview

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, 2026

Free Press staff 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:38 AM CDT

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, as it's known in Manitoba, happens Sept. 30 with many commemorative community events scheduled.

Read
Yesterday at 10:38 AM CDT