Subhead:The change came after the BC Humanist Association threatened legal action on behalf of local residents Carol Marsh and Brian Vincent, who objected to the practice. The organization gave the municipality until July 10 to respond before referring the matter for legal review.#
The District of Tobique Valley has ended its longstanding practice of opening council meetings with the Lord’s Prayer after a national humanist organization threatened legal action.
Mayor Aaron Jones announced the change at the start of Monday night’s council meeting, replacing the customary prayer with a prepared statement.
“After careful consideration, the council of the District of Tobique Valley, in consultation with our legal counsel, has decided to no longer recite the Lord’s Prayer at the opening of council meetings,” Jones told those in attendance.
