Crucifix in Montreal council chambers coming down, executive committee says

The crucifix in Montreal'scouncil chambers is being taken down off the wall,for good.

The announcement was made during an executive committee meeting Wednesday morning.

Major renovations are about to get underway at City Hall. The crucifix is being removed for the work, but it will not be hung back up when that work is done,in about three years, the executive committee says.

The administration says the renovations arean opportunity to remove the crucifix.

The crucifix is an important part of Montreal's heritage and history, but as a symbol, it does not reflect the modern reality of secularism in democratic institutions, Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante said.

"The decision is a recognition of the role of secularism in the institution, and for me, there is a stark distinction between individual and institutional secularism," Plante said.

She said the city has no intention ofremoving the cross on Mount Royal , since the mountain is not a democratic institution.

A crucifix will also be removed from the Peter-McGillRoom at City Hall, the executive committee said.

Church responds

Plante said the crucifix will be placed in a special museum space at City Hall that will be accessible to all Montrealers.

"It's important to create a dialogue between the past and the future," she said.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal issued a statement Wednesday afternoon which didn't overtly criticize the movebut stressed that the crucifix is symbolic of the city's roots and "a love for all humanity."

Last October,Plante said she did not intend to take down the crucifix from the wall of the council chambers, reignitingthe debate overwhether the crucifix that still hangs above the Speaker's chair inthe National Assembly should be taken down.

Plante said she has no intention of telling other cities or governments what to do.

"It's up to each of them to make a decision," she said.

The CAQ government has been adamant that it will not remove the cross, saying itis a historical symbol, not a religious one, even though it represents the Christianvalues of the province's two colonial ancestors.

'I accept the decision': Legault

Premier Franois Legaulthas said he wants tokeep the crucifixin the legislaturewhile moving forward with plans to ban certain civil servants from wearing religious symbols.

But when asked Wednesday about Montreal's decision, Legault seemed less firm on his decision to keep the crucifix.

"There are good arguments for and some arguments against, and right now we have a debate. We have to find a compromise," Legaultsaid. "I accept the decision of the City of Montreal."

Legault said the decision falls withinQuebec'ssecularism debate, as is thediscussionon whether there will be a grandfather clause allowing teachers who already wear religious symbols to continue doing so.

The crucifix was installed in the Salon Bleu or Blue Room ofthe National Assembly in 1936. A government-commissioned report into secularism and identity issues recommended in 2008 that it be removed, but no government has done so.

QuebecImmigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrettesaid the National Assembly will make its own decision when it comes to its crucifix.

"For us, it's always been a heritage symbol, a historical symbol like the other religious symbols in the Salon Bleu," Jolin-Barrette said.

Liberal MNA Hlne David took to Twitter, saying the National Assembly plans to discuss its crucifix in the coming days.

"We are open to discussion on this topic," David wrote.