Mr. Speaker, one of the most important tenets in our charter is freedom of belief. That freedom is the right of all Canadians, regardless of profession.
The law societies of Upper Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick do not appreciate the importance of that charter right when they deny accreditation for the law school at Trinity Western University.
Tomorrow the Law Society of British Columbia will meet to discuss accreditation for the law school. The issue is not the quality of the education or the suitability of graduates to practise law in Canada. The issue is of Trinity Western University's community covenant, which has already been ruled lawful by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Its covenant does not forbid graduates from fulfilling the obligations and oaths of their chosen professions. It is merely an affirmation of the Christian beliefs the institution was founded upon, and law societies across Canada must respect that freedom of belief.
I call on the Law Society of British Columbia to recognize the law school at Trinity Western University and respect Canada's proud tradition of religious freedom.