Montreal

Crucifix removed from National Assembly's Blue Room

The crucifix that has hung for decades above the Speaker's chair in the National Assembly's Blue Room has been removed.

Provincial legislators no longer to debate proposed laws in the same room as the religious effigy

The crucifix that has long looked over the National Assembly's Blue Room — where provincial legislators debate potential laws — was pulled from the wall Tuesday. (Pub Photo/Collection Assemblée nationale)

The crucifix that has hung for decades above the Speaker's chair in the National Assembly's Blue Room has been removed.

Visitors will be able to view the artifact on display in a space between the Blue and Red rooms.

Quebec Premier François Legault had initially said the crucifix was there to stay, insisting it was not a religious symbol, but a historical one.

However, he changed his mind by the time his government's religious symbol ban was first tabled.

Over the Speaker's chair, a slight outline of the longstanding crucifix can still be seen. (Pub Photo/Collection Assemblée nationale)

Montreal also recently decided to remove its crucifix from City Hall. It was taken down during renovations to the building and it will not be returned to its long-time spot on the wall in council chambers.

At the time, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said 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.