As a homeschool community, we strongly support any efforts to maintain a parent's legal and fundamental rights to their children and being fully informed. This case was heard in Medicine Hat on June 20th, and is currently under advisement with a 'timely ruling' promised before June 30th. Our immediate and urgent prayers should be going up for the judge and the judgement. One of the largest court cases of our day, it has received little press from the time of filing until recently. There are actually 26 faith-based schools of differing faiths, along with individual parents and groups, including Parents for Choice in Education. John Carpay explained that, "An injunction on Bill 24 provisions would prevent these provisions from being put into force until after the Court has determined the constitutionality of the Bill." He is referring to the Bill's provisions that keep parents in the dark about their child's involvement in student groups or activities and illegal for the staff to share information with parents in all cases. These parents assert that keeping parents in the dark threatens the safety of some of Alberta's most vulnerable and at-risk students.

http://www.parentchoice.ca/bill24_pce_goes_to_court

https://www.jccf.ca/injunction-hearing-to-stay-bill-24-provisions-in-medicine-hat-today/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-albertas-gay-straight-alliance-law-faces-court-challenge/

http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/parentchoice/mailings/33/attachments/original/PCE_Summary_page_2017.11.07_-_How_does_Bill_24_isolate_children_and_control_schools.pdf?1510115864

This ruling is almost hard to quantify in its impact. The implications are going to reverberate down throughout the laws of our land. At stake were the freedoms of speech, religion and association and these are near and dear to the hearts of home educators, and all people who value freedoms. We encourage you to read up on the various perspectives that people are sharing. . . there are many.

Here are a few to get you started:

National Post: The Supreme Court decides that faith is now banned from Canada's public spaces

The Gospel Coalition: A Christian Response to the Trinity Western Decision

Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms: Freedom of association rejected by Supreme Court of Canada in Trinity Western ruling

Danielle Smith - 770 CHQR: Trinity Western University

ARPA Canada: Supreme Court: TWU and Wall

ARPA Canada: Supreme Court rules against TWU, placing public perception over rule of law

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada: Trinity Western University School of Law

And you may want to sign up for this FREE webinar that will break down the implications of the case:

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada: Sign up for Webinar on Supreme Court TWU Decision

Alberta Education continues to focus its energies on eliminating exceptions to the public school system. We should be fully aware of these efforts that are being felt around the province, and realize that we want to stand together, lest we fall apart.

The school was in court last month in Wetaskiwin for an injunction with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms against closure by the Battle River School Division (BRSD). The court ruled against Cornerstone's request to continue to operate under BRSD. "Justice Clarkson agreed, however, that it would be unconstitutional for the Alberta government to refuse to grant Cornerstone Christian Academy private school status, which Cornerstone held until it joined BRSD in 2009." Please pray for the families and school as they decide how to respond to the negative decision from the bench.

Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms: Judge rejects injunction to stay closure of Cornerstone Christian Academy

Patty Marler
AHEA President

 

Bill 24 - An Act to Support Gay Straight Alliances - was introduced in the legislature on Thursday, November 2, 2017. The stated aim of the legislation is to provide a caring and safe environment for students, but the practical application of this bill is to effectively remove parents from being the primary supporters and guides of their children. Bill 24 mandates that those who attend GSAs, (which could potentially include youth who are struggling with making important identity decisions) be deprived of their right to be guided and supported by those who care for them most, their parents.

AHEA met with Minister Eggen's staff to discuss Bill 24. It was suggested that the legislation would not come out and 'touch' home educators, but it does affect parental authority.

AHEA supports caring for and loving students which is why there is concern for the mandated removal of parents.

Please consider contacting your MLA.

AHEA encourages you to voice your support to those MLAs who stand for parental authority: MLAs opposed to Bill 24