Quebec's recent secularism law, effective since September 1st, bans prayer rooms and collective religious practices on public property such as universities and transit agencies. This includes wellness rooms at Montreal’s public transit agency STM, where previously employees could meditate or pray; now only activities like yoga are allowed. Universities like the Université de Montréal and UQAM must remind students that praying is not permitted on campus and suggest they use nearby places of worship instead. The law has sparked criticism from religious groups who argue it infringes on freedom of religion, while STM emphasizes humane enforcement and support for employees adapting to these changes.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Quebec's new secularism law, which took effect on September 1, has restricted prayer practices in public institutions like universities and transit agencies. The law bans the creation of prayer rooms within these spaces, impacting employees and students who previously used wellness rooms for religious purposes alongside other activities like meditation and yoga. At Montreal’s STM transit agency, managers are now tasked with reminding workers about the new rules if they witness a religious practice at work, aiming to help staff adjust while maintaining a humane approach. Religious and civil-liberties groups have criticized the law, arguing that it undermines freedom of religion and could affect traditions such as Good Friday processions. The National Council of Canadian Muslims specifically stated that the legislation fosters division in Quebec.
Written for “Quebec Prayer Restrictions” on 2026-09-14,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 8953 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-14
Quebec’s new restrictions on prayer are changing the rules at public workplaces and university campuses, with employees and students facing new limits on where they can pray.
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they → change → limits
New rules under Quebec’s secularism law took effect Sept. 1, including a ban on prayer rooms in public institutions such as universities, colleges and transit agencies.
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rules → take → universities
The law, adopted by the Quebec legislature in April, also prohibits collective religious practices on public roads and in public parks unless a municipality grants an exception on a case-by-case basis.
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municipality → adopt → basis
The measures have drawn opposition from religious and civil-liberties groups, which have raised concerns about freedom of religion and assembly.
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which → draw → religion
The National Council of Canadian Muslims has said the law undermines religious freedom and sows division in Quebec, while Catholic leaders have warned it could affect religious traditions such as Good Friday processions.
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it → say → processions
At Montreal’s public transit agency, the STM, employees can no longer pray anywhere on the agency’s property – including in four wellness rooms where prayer had previously been permitted alongside meditation, relaxation and yoga.
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prayer → pray → meditation
The rooms remain open, but only for permitted activities such as meditation, relaxation and yoga.
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rooms → remain → meditation
The new rules have been posted at their entrances and inside.
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rules → post → entrances
But the STM says it can only monitor what is visible, such as religious rituals, prayers involving gestures or prayers spoken aloud.
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what → say → gestures
Amélie Régis, a spokesperson for the transit agency, said managers who witness a religious practice in the workplace are being asked to approach employees “in a humane way” to remind them of the rules and determine how the STM can help them adjust to the change.
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them → say → change
“It is still important for us to act with care toward our employees who are facing this change and to support them,” Régis said.
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Régis → act → them
Employees can leave STM property during unpaid personal time, such as breaks or lunch periods, if they want to pray, as long as doing so does not interfere with their work, she said.
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she → leave → work
The changes are also being felt on university campuses.
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changes → feel → campuses
At the Université de Montréal, managers and security staff are being given guidance on how to respond to questions about prayer.
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managers → give → prayer
“People will indeed be asked to leave campus to pray since it is not permitted by law,” spokesperson Geneviève O’Meara said in a written statement.
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O’Meara → ask → statement
O’Meara noted that the university did not have dedicated prayer rooms before the new restrictions took effect.
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restrictions → note → effect
Université du Québec à Montréal also said it had no spaces specifically dedicated to prayer before the law was adopted, noting that several places of worship are located within a few minutes of campus.
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places → say → campus
“UQAM will comply with its obligations under the law,” spokesperson Jenny Desrochers said in a written statement.
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Desrochers → comply → statement
Montreal police did not respond to questions about how they will enforce the restrictions.
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they → respond → restrictions
