Waterdown - The Ontario government is keeping the Lord's Prayer in Queen's Park, a decision supported and lauded by Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MPP Ted McMeekin.

McMeekin and all members of the provincial legislature voted today to maintain the daily reading while adding another recitation or moment of silence before conducting its daily business.

"This is a wise and wonderful decision of government, one that allows us to honour our political traditions and commemorate our diversity of faiths and cultures," McMeekin said today. "Clearly, we are speaking on behalf of all Ontarians."

The motion followed the unanimous recommendation of an all-party committee that studied alternatives to the prayer. More than 7,100 e-mails and 23,000 petition signatures urged the government to keep the Lord's Prayer.

"I personally heard from many residents in my riding and throughout Hamilton who wanted us the preserve this time-honoured tradition," said McMeekin. "I'm happy now to tell them that we listen in government, and that celebrations of religious diversity in Ontario include the Lord's Prayer.

Ontario is one of only three provinces, along with Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, still reciting the prayer.

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For further information, please contact

Ted McMeekin, MPP  905-690-6552