'Religious schools' take issue with Canada's Bill of Rights

[Unknown]

Were they not issued a copy of our Constitution prior to being accepted as immigrants to
Canada? Were they quizzed on the meaning of 'Equality Rights" ? Maybe they should all be
quizzed on its meaning. . . . and a copy also sent to Rob Ford.
____________________________________

Under the heading of "Equality Rights" this section states:

“15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal
protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without
discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental
or physical disability.

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the
amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are
disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental
or physical disability.
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May 22, 2012

Anti-bullying bill upsets religious groups

Several religious groups in Ottawa said an Ontario-government-backed anti-bullying bill could
be used to undermine the beliefs taught in religious schools.

An all-party provincial committee is holding hearings today in Ottawa on two competing
anti-bullying bills. Bill 13, The Accepting Schools Act, has passed second reading, with the
support of the Liberals and NDP, while the Progressive Conservatives are backing their own
piece proposed legislation, Bill 14.

The Liberal proposed legislation allows schools to expel bullies and would also force school
boards to accept gay-straight alliance clubs.

Advocates say allowing the groups would help students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or
transgender gain acceptance and make them less likely to be a target at school.

The push to introduce anti-bullying legislation in the province came from a number of
high-profile incidents, including the suicide of Ottawa student Jamie Hubley, the son of
councillor Allan Hubley. The younger Hubley was openly gay and his father said he thought
bullying was a factor in his son's decision to take his own life.

But religious groups who spoke at a hearing Tuesday on the proposed legislation said Bill 13
goes beyond its stated intention of stopping bullying.

"The bill will likely be used to impose gay-straight alliances or similar content clubs which
is in complete disregard for the Catholic faithful ..and the official church doctrine," said
Dr. Rene Leiva, a family doctor who describes himself as a Catholic father of five.
Naming groups vital, says MPP

Leiva said he supports Bill 14, the Progressive Conservative legislation which doesn't name or
emphasize one group in particular that could be bullied.

But Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi said naming the groups is vital.

"Sex, creed, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation...you find this in the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, find in the human rights code...we need to move ahead with this," said Naqvi.

The government wants to pass the bill in June for implementation this fall.


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We hang the petty thieves and elect the greatest ones to public office.