Dalton McGuinty is in trouble with his mother over the Lord's Prayer debate but Ontario's premier said he just doesn't care. Neither his Catholic mother nor any other critic is going to change his decision to debate the Lord's Prayer's place in the legislature, McGuinty told reporters Tuesday morning.
Nearly 6,000 people have commented on the premier's website about his idea to remove the Lord's Prayer from the daily routine at Queen's Park.
"This is not an easy thing for my mother," he said. "It's been said that our job is to represent the future of the present and we continue to change as a province and as a society in terms of our make up and our cultures and our faiths.
"I think we have a responsibility to make sure everyone feels truly at home here," he continued.
McGuinty first suggested the change back in February, saying that the prayer should reflect the changing face of Ontario.
He suggested the prayer be replaced with something more inclusive to other religions -- a moment of silent reflection or perhaps even alternating prayers.
But McGuinty's opponents say he's making a big deal out of a non-issue.
Conservative Peter Shurman, a Jewish MP, said he recited the Lord's Prayer at school for 11 years and that it didn't change him. He said the legislature is already very welcoming of other religions.
Ontarians and religious groups have until the end of May to express their opinions on the matter.
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