The City of Parksville says it has no plans to include prayers at its inaugural council meeting after the next municipal election in 2026.
Its statement Tuesday follows a public threat of legal action from the B.C. Humanist Society over the issue. The city included prayers in its inaugural meetings in 2018 and 2022.
According to the society, the meeting in 2022 included a prayer from a youth pastor with Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church, who asked God to support council members, ending with: “I pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”
The society argues that including religious sentiments in council meetings implies that some people are more welcome than others.
The organization says it monitors B.C. municipalities and has also warned the City of Vancouver it would sue over prayers at its 2022 inaugural meeting from a variety of faiths.
Parksville’s Nov. 7, 2022 inaugural meeting also included a blessing from Chief Michael Recalma of the Qualicum First Nation.
The agenda for the inaugural meeting after the 2026 municipal elections will be set by the mayor-elect, the city said in its statement. “The concerns of the B.C. Humanist Society will be addressed by the Mayor-elect at that time.”
The city said it will follow all applicable laws and will support fundamental rights and freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“Our community is comprised of people with diverse beliefs, abilities, backgrounds, and world views and wishes to expressly state that all opinions and perspectives are welcome and valued,” the statement said.
“Diversity and inclusiveness make our community stronger and more vibrant.”
