"Simply speaking, many Canadians accept the right of the individual to practise whatever faith she or he chooses on a personal level, but believe when it comes to the collective, religion has no place in Canadian democracy."

The author laments this development but to me it equates with social progress. My father spoke of the stifling role of religion in pre-WWII Ontario society, where communities were deeply divided on the basis of chauvinistic (Protestant vs Catholic) faith and one couldn't venture far beyond one's own faith or identity to find employment, socialize or (God forbid!) marry. WWII, where everybody came together in a common cause, was the equalizer, and after that, according to my father, the increasingly secular society that emerged was more harmonious, cohesive and equitable and offered greater freedom and dignity for everybody. Should this not be the goal in a diverse society? Unfortunately, the nature of religion is to divide. So keep it a private matter.