Calling all Manitobans – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

The Legislative Chamber of Manitoba is the space where the province's most important and influential public business is conducted. Those chosen to serve within its walls should not need to be reminded of the gravity of their work, but the beginning of each day's meeting has long been a tradition, beginning with the recitation of a prayer seeking divine guidance and wisdom to shape the efforts of the members. both sides of the house.

As his government fully settles into its role after being elected to power last fall, Prime Minister Wab Kinew said after prayers that the time might be right to update the daily call to better reflect the increasingly populous and diverse province. installation, in 1937, as part of the daily formality of the legislature.

“It's a very good prayer,” Kinew said recently in a speech to the Manitoba Multifaith Council. “I ask myself if this prayer is representative and inclusive for all of us today.”

That's a fair question.

A legislative prayer that solemnly acknowledges God—a Christian variety given the province's colonial history—is “Eternal and Almighty” and “from whom comes all power and wisdom” and asks for business to be conducted in the House. Be “only by Your will” and “for the glory and honor of Your name and for the good of all our people.”

Given the changing demographics of Canada's fifth most populous province, it is appropriate and perhaps overdue to revisit the ceremonial start of daily legislative proceedings.

In the 2021 Canadian Census, 54.2 per cent of Manitobans identified as Christian, while 44.5 per cent said they were of a non-Christian faith or had no religious affiliation (Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Indigenous spirituality counted. The total was 7.8 per cent , and 36.7 percent indicated that they had no connection).

Kinew, who begins his days with a prayer in his Anishinaabe tradition, expressed deep respect for Christianity, but the legislature's daily acknowledgment offered respect for other religions and those who lean toward atheism or secularism.

The prime minister was right when he predicted that any move to change the daily prayer would be seen by some as a divisive attack on tradition – how seasonal efforts at inclusivity should be reminiscent of the annual protest to “take Christ out of Christmas”. understand how sensitive this topic is.

But there is no doubt that in the current state of prayer, almost half of the population of the province does not show their beliefs.