Jennifer Leddy brought this case to my attention as she provided a brief summary of it in her firm’s newsletter. The final sentence is cause for reflection:
On August 20, 2009 the New Brunswick Court of Appeal held that freedom of religion under the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms does not protect those who refuse to file income tax returns, because certain government programs are contrary to their religion. In the case of David T. Little and Her Majesty the Queen, the appellant refused to file his income tax return, and by implication pay taxes because he opposed abortion and the funding of abortion on the grounds of religion.
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It will be interesting to see how this case is applied to health care workers who refuse to participate in medical procedures or offer medical services that are contrary to their religion or conscience.