Toronto – October 16, 2012 - The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will be participating this week in litigation challenging the public funding of Ontario’s Catholic schools. The hearing in this case, Landau v. Attorney General of Ontario, will take place Wednesday October 17 at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
CCLA is intervening in this constitutional challenge, and will be arguing that the public funding of Catholic schools, which privileges one religion above all others, is discriminatory.
The hearing on Wednesday will address the government’s motion to dismiss the challenge (without a full trial). The government’s motion relies on court precedents that interpreted our constitution as protecting this funding of Catholic schools.
CCLA is arguing that the time has come for the court to reconsider its interpretation of the constitution . CCLA, represented by Andrew Lokan from Paliare Roland LLP, is urging the court to re-examine its position in light of the following factors: Canada’s increasingly diverse population; other social and political changes in Canada; Canada’s r commitment to equality and freedom of religion; and the international obligations to uphold these rights and freedoms.
The hearing will take place at 10 am on Wednesday October 17 2012 in Courtroom #805 at 393 University Avenue in Toronto.
>> Click here to read the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s factum in this case.
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Media contact: Penelope Chester - media@ccla.org or 416-363-0321 ext. 225 (o) or 647-822-8764 (c)
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association: The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is a national organization founded in 1964, dedicated to promoting respect for and observance of fundamental human rights and civil liberties. Its work, which includes research, public education and advocacy, aims to defend and ensure the protection and full exercise of those rights and liberties.
