"More than one-half of people living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), for example, were born outside the country, and one-third of (residents in) the province were born outside the country," McGuinty told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think it's time for us to assure that we have a prayer that better reflects our diversity."

The premier wants an all-party committee to work with the speaker's office to look for alternatives to the Christian prayer, which has opened daily proceedings at the legislature since 1969.

The committee will be seeking advice from citizens and faith communities, but it is expected the Lord's Prayer will be replaced.

"I think we're the second-last province in Canada which has not changed its basic prayer that was adopted over a hundred years ago," said McGuinty, who denied the move is an attempt to counter some of the negative feelings stirred up by the debate over funding faith-based schools in last fall's election. Source...