A peaceful gathering becomes a legal flashpoint
Since 2024, the Church of Two Shores (Église des Deux-Rives) in Saguenay, Quebec, has peacefully rented a modest basement space from the City for its weekly Sunday services. According to Pastor Zach Laustsen, who has attended the church with his wife and daughters since 2024, the congregation was fully transparent about its identity and purpose when signing the lease.
“When we signed the lease early on, we were unambiguous about who we were and what we were gathering for,” says Mr. Laustsen.
“To have our lease terminated with no reasonable notice was unexpected, hurtful, and frustrating. It caused a lot of last-minute scrambling for myself and the other pastor to find an alternative meeting space suitable for a group of our size.”
The City invokes the Secularism Act
In March 2025, city officials informed the church that its lease would be terminated unless it ceased all religious activities. The City cited Quebec’s Loi sur la Laïcité de l’État (Secularism Act) as justification for its decision, arguing that it was bound by this legislation.
However, the Loi sur la Laïcité does not prohibit religious groups from renting or using municipal spaces. The Act affirms the neutrality of the State while also affirming freedom of religion.
The Justice Centre provides lawyers to assist the Church of Two Shores in challenging the City’s actions. According to constitutional lawyer Olivier Séguin, this case raises profound questions about the meaning of the Loi sur la Laïcité de l’État, which, let us not forget, is supposed to be grounded in certain principles, among which are freedom of religion and equality for all citizens.
A precedent-setting case for religious freedom
The outcome of this case could carry significant implications for religious freedom in Quebec. If the court accepts the City’s interpretation, any religious expression would be banned within public buildings.
A timetable for the case at the Superior Court of Chicoutimi has not yet been set.
Case discontinued
Following amendments to Quebec’s An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity through Bill 9, which expressly confirmed that municipalities have the discretion to permit religious activities in their facilities, the Church of Two Shores withdrew its legal challenge.
The church stated that its objective had never been to force its continued use of the City’s premises, but rather to clarify the proper interpretation of the law. Having since secured a new location for its Sunday services, the church expressed gratitude that the legislative amendments resolved the uncertainty and emphasized its desire to maintain a respectful and cooperative relationship with the City of Saguenay.
In conclusion, the case was resolved after the Quebec legislature clarified the law, achieving the church’s objective of obtaining certainty about municipalities’ authority to permit religious activities in public facilities.