By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION – Whitewater Region Councillor Daryl McLaughlin finally got something changed back to the old way.
For four years, Coun. McLaughlin would say, “let’s go back to the old way,” “I liked the old way better.” And each time, he was denied, saying things move forward.
At last night’s council meeting, a discussion about saying the Lord’s Prayer was held. Coun. McLaughlin said the Lord’s Prayer is only a recitation. He noted even in church they don’t recite the Lord’s Prayer that council is using, because they say debts and debtors, while council uses the words, “forgive us our trespasses and those who trespass against us.”
He also recalled that four years ago when it was decided the Lord’s Prayer should be recited, it was only to be used on occasion.
“That didn’t happen,” he said. “It was steady.”
The unison prayer was used for about 12 years and has meaning, Coun. McLaughlin said.
“It’s not recital,” he said. “To me, all you do when you say the Lord’s Prayer, at least when I’m in church, we pray and then at the end we do the Lord’s Prayer.”
Coun. McLaughlin spoke to his minister and she agreed with him that the unison prayer has meaning, the Lord’s Prayer is really just a recital.
He further noted the Hebrew translation of the Lord’s Prayer is really sins and sinners.
“It (the unison prayer) worked well for 12 years and then all of a sudden it doesn’t work,” he said, adding, “I don’t know why not.”
Knowing the discussion was going to happen, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay brought forward a recommendation that instead of saying any prayer, the National Anthem be played by a recording by a local artist, while photos of the township are viewed on the screen.
He reminded council that in 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a unanimous decision that the reciting of a Catholic prayer at Saguenay Council meetings infringed on freedom of conscience and religion protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“If this is truly about God being on our side, there’s a component to the national anthem that speaks to those historical moments and to my knowledge the national anthem has not been banned by the Supreme Court,” CAO Tremblay said.
Reeve Cathy Regier noted at county council, a recording of the national anthem is used while on the screen a photo from each of the 17 municipalities is shown.
“It’s very, very nice and well done,” she said. “It kind of touches you when you see Whitewater Region at the end.”
Councillor Dave Mackay was in favour of the national anthem.
Mayor Mike Moore preferred to go with the prayer and asked council for consensus.
In consensus, four council members – Reeve Regier, Mayor Moore and Councillors Olmstead and McLaughlin – were in favour of the unison prayer, not the national anthem.
When the vote was taken to replace the prayer with the national anthem in the procedural bylaw, Councillors Neil Nicholson and Dave Mackay voted in favour while against were Mayor Moore, Reeve Regier and Councillors McLaughlin and Chris Olmstead. Councillor Charlene Jackson did not vote, which is understood as a ‘no’ vote.
Another resolution was brought forward by Coun. McLaughlin and seconded by Mayor Moore that the unison prayer be recited at the start of meetings. Voting in favour were Mayor Moore, Reeve Regier and Councillors Nicholson, Olmstead and McLaughlin.
The Unison Prayer
Almighty God, we give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity, and peace that we enjoy. Guide us in our deliberations as Township Councillors, and strengthen us in our awareness of our duties and responsibilities. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to preserve the blessing of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions. Amen.
