A judge who understands the Charter

For Canadians who value our liberty under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms a recent decision by Nova Scotia's Supreme Court will be both timely and refreshing. Justice Jamie Campbell dismissed a decision by the province's Barristers Society to deny Trinity Western University's law graduates the right to practice.

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The good judge understands that freedom of religion in Canada is a constitutionally protected right and includes fundamental freedoms of conscience and religion. He also clearly recognizes bigotry when he sees it. The Charter clearly states that "Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God" and gives every Canadian freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. Trinity Western University has been the victim of bigotry by a certain minority in the legal community who hope to stop TWU graduates from practicing law on the false grounds that the university discriminates against gays. TWU, a private Christian university in Langley, B.C. plans to open law faculty in September 2016. It requires students to agree to a code of conduct that prohibits any sexual itimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman. Judge Campbell correctly ruled that holding biblical convictions on sexual relations does not constitute being "anti-gay." The Supreme Court of Canada had already ruled in a 2001 judgment that the university's standards does not constitute discrimination. Clearly the law societies in British Columbia and Ontario who continue to discriminate against TWU law grads are exceeding their authority to regulate law practice and showing their disrespect for fundamental freedoms and rights under the Charter. They need to take to heart the decision by Judge Jamie Campbell and follow the example of the five provinces and territories who will accept TWU grads. Tolerance is a hallmark of a democratic society. It is the legal community that is guilty of disrespect for the Charter, not Trinity Western University.