The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has been granted intervener status in this case and will be presenting arguments in favour of broad religious freedoms for parents and advocating for a truly plural society which is religiously inclusive.
Why is the S.L. case so important for Canadian parents?
S.L. v. Commission scolaire des Chenes, a case originating in Quebec, will address the issue of whether parents have the right to choose the kind of education their children will receive, particularly in regard to religious instruction. The case will cut to the core of what freedom of religion and conscience and parental authority mean in Canada.
At issue is the Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) program, a mandatory course which must be taught to all québécois children. The course has as its objective the instruction of children in a manner that will promote “the development of attitudes of tolerance, respect and openness”, thus “preparing them to live in a pluralist and democratic society.” The course is not a graduation requirement.
The perspective of many parents and the position of the mother in this case, is that parents have and wish to retain the right to teach morality and religion to their children from their perspective, or decide who will do so on their behalf. The right to pass on one’s religious and cultural heritage to their children is a fundamental aspect of religious freedom and parental authority in Canada.
This position is supported by polling data. An opinion poll by Leger Marketing reported that 72% of parents in Quebec agree that parents should be able to choose between denominational religious instruction and the ERC program. Even Quebecers without children largely agree with that position (68%).
How does a case dealing with a Quebec curriculum affect all Canadian parents?
While the case being heard is dealing with Quebec curriculum, the Supreme Court of Canada will have to comment on religious freedom, freedom of conscience and parental authority when rendering its decision. This decision, as it is from the country’s highest court, will have incredible precedential weight and be binding on all other courts in the country. It will also significantly influence how other provincial governments address the issue of potentially controversial curricula and accommodating parents’ beliefs, values and wishes for their children’s education.
What is the ERC program and why is it so controversial?
The course is mandatory in the sense that it is required to be taught to all students. However, oddly, the successful completion of the course is not required for graduation.
The program was mandated at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year for students from grades 1 to 11, whether they are attending private or public schools or if they are homeschooled. It addresses morality and various world religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.
Parents in the evangelical Christian community are split on the ERC program. Some welcome the opportunity for children to learn about the contribution of religious communities to the culture of Quebec. Others are concerned that the format used for teaching young children about a variety of religions, as required by the course, will convey to them that all religious beliefs and all moral codes are relative or of equal merit, i.e. they are all the same.
However, most agree that parents should have the right to choose whether or not their children participate in the program. Unfortunately, every parent who has requested that their children be exempted from the classroom has been refused.
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