Canadian cities must put an end to prayers during council meetings, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled.
The court said such prayers go against freedom of religion and conscience, as laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and the Quebec Charter.
In a unanimous decision and in the name of neutrality of state, all nine judges agreed that prayers should not be allowed anymore.
The case concerned the city of Saguenay in Quebec, but the Supreme Court decision extends to all Canadian towns and cities.
Major cities, including Ottawa and Calgary, said they would stop saying prayers while they studied the impact of the court ruling.