MONTREAL, March 30, 2011 – The Catholic Civil Rights League is pleased to announce that its joint application to intervene in the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) appeal in the case of Quebec families seeking exemption from Quebec’s Ethics and Religious Culture (ECR) Course has been accepted.
As part of the Christian Group for Parental Rights in Education, the League will file a factum in conjunction with The Association of Catholic Parents of Quebec (APCQ), the Faith and Freedom Alliance and the Coptic Christian Association of Greater Montreal. Its factum will emphasize the right of parents to direct the religious education of their children.
The appeal stems from the case of a Drummondville, Quebec family that sought an exemption from the ECR course but was refused by its local school board. Other applications to intervene in the SCC appeal were granted to groups including the Canadian Catholic School Trustees Association and Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Council of Christian Charities, Christian Legal Fellowship, Coalition for Liberty in Education, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Association of Quebec School Boards.
In granting the applications, the court stated that each intervenor’s factums should not exceed 10 pages, and that requests to present oral arguments are deferred until such written material has been reviewed.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Mrs. Jean Morse-Chevrier, CCRL Quebec director and APCQ president: (514) 276-8068, (819) 661-7140; apcq406@bellnet.ca
Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca