After some reflection, Edmonton councillors don't seem interested in starting their meetings with a moment of reflection.

Executive committee decided Tuesday it will recommend city council not introduce a moment of reflection, which was intended to replace the multifaith prayer that was scrapped last year.

"I don't think we need to read a poem to get into the mood to be able to do city business," Coun. Michael Oshry said.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that conducting a prayer before the opening of a council meeting contravenes the duty of neutrality.

After the court ruling, city council repealed a section of its procedures bylaw that required council meetings start with a prayer, and added a section that they should start with a moment of reflection instead.

Administration then worked with a consultant to meet stakeholder groups and ask what they wanted to see in a moment of reflection.

The report to executive committee said it should be non-controversial, non-political and non-religious, but reflect the city's diversity.

Coun. Bev Esslinger questioned how leaving out faith communities does that.

"It's hard to be diverse and inclusive and be non-religious in our community because, for many people, culture and faith are intermixed," Esslinger said. "It watered it down so much that it felt meaningless. That was my concern."

Other councillors also said the multifaith prayers were important to them. Coun. Scott McKeen said he misses the prayers, adding they made him feel grounded before a meeting.

Consultant Beth Sanders, who gathered input on the idea from 21 organizations, said she respects executive committee's decision.

"I would say that the stakeholders that I spent time with were overwhelmingly in support of a moment of reflection," Sanders said.

"I imagine they would see this as a missed opportunity to both start a council meeting well, and also a missed opportunity for Edmonton to publicly display to itself how inclusive and diverse a community we are."

Council will make a final decision on whether to pursue a moment of reflection when it meets next on Oct. 11.

roberta.bell@cbcca

david.howell@cbc.ca