The Ontario Legislature initiated a series of public consultations if the province would continue reciting the Lord's Prayer in public events or follow other Canadian provinces which had discarded the Pater Noster.

The debate is a result of an initiative by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty whose Liberal party is questioning if the use of the popular prayer reflects the province's multiculturalism or favors Christian groups only.

The legislature opens its everyday session with the Our Father, which some groups consider outdated. Among the groups that the legislature would consult are Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, atheists and humanists. The legislature also accepts comments from the public via its interactive website.

Neil MacCarthy, director of communications of the Archdiocese of Toronto, pointed out the Lord's Prayer is still relevant and part of the province's tradition. "You talk to people of many different faiths and they say that the Lord's Prayer is as good as any to have as part of their day," MacCarthy told the Canadian Press.

He suggested instead of Ontario junking the most well known Christian prayer recited by billions of Christians daily, various prayers from different faiths could be rotated during the legislature's daily opening.

Instead of dividing public opinion over the prayer, B'nai Brith executive director Frank Dimant told Canadian Press the province's legislature should rather focus on more pressing issues such as violence and the economic slowdown.