L-2 - Freedom of Worship Act

Updated to 1 October 2024

This document has official status.

chapter L-2

Freedom of Worship Act

DIVISION I FREEDOM OF WORSHIP

1. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, provided the same be not made an excuse for acts of licentiousness or a justification of practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of Québec, are by the constitution and laws of Québec allowed to all persons living within the same.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 1; 1999, c. 40, s. 168.

2. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 2; 1986, c. 95, s. 175.

DIVISION II GOOD ORDER IN AND NEAR CHURCHES

3. In this Act, the word “church” means any church, chapel, or other building or place used for public worship.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 3.

4. The churchwardens in office in each parish or locality in Québec shall, under a penalty of not less than $2 nor more than $8 for every neglect or refusal to perform the duties so imposed upon them by this Act, maintain good order in and about the church of such parish or locality, both within and without such church, and in the public hall attached or adjacent to the parsonage or presbytery, and also in the roads and public places adjoining the same, and they shall carry out and have carried out the provisions of this Act.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 4; 1992, c. 61, s. 373.

5. Any person who causes any disturbance in the church, in any parish or locality, during divine service, or in any wise indecently or irreverently conducts himself in or about such church, or resists the churchwardens or any person in the execution of the duties imposed on them or him by this Act, or insults them or any of them, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of $1 to $8.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 5; 1969, c. 21, s. 35; 1986, c. 95, s. 176; 1990, c. 4, s. 535.

6. Any person who remains or loiters near any such church or place used for public worship, or in the highways and public places adjacent thereto, or in the public hall attached or adjacent to the parsonage house or presbytery, or who so remaining or loitering near the said church, or in the highways and public places adjacent thereto, and upon being directed to retire or to enter the said church during divine service, refuses or neglects so to do, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of $1 to $4.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 6; 1969, c. 21, s. 35; 1986, c. 95, s. 177; 1990, c. 4, s. 536.

7. Every peace officer in any parish, seigniory, township or locality or other extra-parochial place, shall, for the execution of the duties imposed upon him, have the same powers as those vested by this Act in churchwardens.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 7.

DIVISION III PENAL PROVISIONS

1990, c. 4, s. 537.

8. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 8; 1969, c. 21, s. 35; 1986, c. 95, s. 178.

9. Any person attending, as well in going to as returning from divine service, at any such church, who, on approaching or returning from the same, within 585 m therefrom, drives, whether on horseback or in a carriage, faster than a slow and moderate trot, shall, for every such offence, be liable to a fine of not more than $2, nor less than $1.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 9; 1984, c. 47, s. 213.

10. A justice, on application by the churchwardens, or any rector or priest officiating in any church or place of public worship, may appoint one or two constables for the purposes of assisting the churchwardens in office, in the performance of the duties imposed upon them by this Act; and such constables shall obey the orders and directions of the churchwardens in office.

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 10; 1990, c. 4, s. 538; 1992, c. 61, s. 374.

11. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 11; 1986, c. 95, s. 179.

12. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 12; 1965 (1st sess.), c. 80, a. 1; 1986, c. 95, s. 180.

13. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 13; 1986, c. 95, s. 181.

DIVISION IV

Repealed, 1990, c. 4, s. 539.

1990, c. 4, s. 539.

14. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 14; 1990, c. 4, s. 539.

DIVISION V

Repealed, 1992, c. 61, s. 375.

1992, c. 61, s. 375.

15. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 15; 1990, c. 4, s. 540; 1992, c. 61, s. 375.

16. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 16; 1965 (1st sess.), c. 80, a. 1; 1990, c. 4, s. 541.

17. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 301, s. 17; 1992, c. 61, s. 375.

DIVISION VI

This Division ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987.

18. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987).

1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes (chapter R-3), chapter 301 of the Revised Statutes, 1964, in force on 31 December 1977, is repealed effective from the coming into force of chapter L-2 of the Revised Statutes.