Alberta’s law mandating Gay-Straight Alliances violates Charter freedoms
CALGARY: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) today released a legal position paper outlining the problems with Bill 10, Alberta’s law mandating Gay-Straight Alliances in all schools, vis-à-vis the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in Loyola v. Quebec.
Posted here, this paper concludes that Bill 10 likely infringes the freedom of religion of religious denominational schools in Alberta as protected by section 2(a) of the Charter. The paper does not take a position for or against GSAs. Rather, it evaluates from a legal perspective whether Bill 10 infringes the freedom of religion of religious denomination schools in Alberta that do not support the sexual practices that are recognized, affirmed or promoted by GSAs. The paper concludes as follows:
When the Legislative Assembly resumes sitting, it should review and amend Bill 10 to bring it into compliance with the Charter. Otherwise, costly, lengthy and unnecessary litigation could be required to protect the constitutional rights of Alberta’s religious denominational schools, and the right of parents who choose to have their children attend these institutions.
Tuesday April 28 Presentation on Bill 10 in Medicine Hat
Calgary lawyer and JCCF president John Carpay will address the constitutionality of Bill 10 in Medicine Hat, followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is open to the public:
How Bill 10 threatens religious freedom and parental rights in education
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Medicine Hat Lodge
1051 Ross Glen Drive S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta
Sunday May 3 debate on Bill 10 in Calgary
“Be it resolved that Bill 10 (re: Gay-Straight Alliances) be revoked.”
Sunday, May 3, 2015
1:30 P.M.
Tomkins Park (at the green gazebo)
Corner of 17 Avenue and 8 Street SW
John Carpay will speak in favour of the resolution. Pam Krause, Executive Director of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, will speak against the resolution.
This event is open to the public, and is the kick-off debate to the third season of the Calgary Speakers Corner.
