Dalton McGuinty, the man who would like to be remembered as Ontario’s “Education Premier,” has declared that all schools in his province — public, private and religious — must embark on anti-bullying initiatives, including the mandatory establishment of gay/straight alliance clubs for students. The campaign against bullying is a worthy one. But Mr. McGuinty’s approach stands in violation of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Premier stood with the Hubley family while announcing his newly proposed legislation. Only those who have lost a child can possibly comprehend what Allan and Wendy Hubley have experienced with the death of their 15-year-old son Jamie. Prior to his suicide, the Grade 10 student at Kanata, Ont.’s A.Y. Jackson Secondary School felt alienated and depressed, and described himself as “the only open gay guy in my school.” I can only imagine the level of bullying torment that Jamie Hubley experienced. I understand the Hubleys’ deep desire to ensure that no one else experiences what their son or they themselves have gone through. But his death is about more than anti-gay animus. There is a greater problem at play here — the character of today’s students.

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It is not just respect for LGBT students that needs to be part of the curriculum in Canadian schools. Instruction and modelling of respect for all students should be part of the curriculum and the classroom environment. This does not mean all students must be forced to be friends, or agree with one another on all points. And, it does not mean that there can’t be debate or constructive disagreement. It does mean that bullying students on the basis of sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs, national or cultural origin or the several other prohibited grounds of discrimination under human rights laws should not be permitted, either by other students, teachers, administrators or those developing the curricula.

Over the years, parents of Christian students in Ontario’s public schools have contacted me with similar complaints about treatment of their children. One teenage girl was subjected to ridicule by a teacher and students in class, in the hallways (including notes left on and in her locker) and off school property because she objected to the depiction of Christianity in The Chrysalids, a book option from curriculum guidelines that the teacher decided to assign to the class. Another student’s parents were told by a school administrator that if they didn’t like what was going on in the school they should consider transferring their child to a private Christian school.

The remedy for bullying in our schools is not gay/straight alliance clubs, but rather proper character formation. Educators can’t do it alone, and their role is necessarily limited. Parents, churches and others need to be engaged. The foundation of our free and democratic society includes respect for all persons. This foundation needs also to be present in our education system.

Further, Canadian and international law recognize that it is the right of parents to determine the education of their children. Before overriding the choices parents make in education, Premier McGuinty and well-intentioned legislators should be reminded that this is not a right to be overridden casually. There is an obvious constitutional violation in forcing religiously based schools to establish clubs not endorsed by the faith community, parents or students, or a curriculum that disrespects their beliefs.

The children of all Canadians — who are subject to the curricula of the various Ministries of Education across the country — deserve the opportunity to learn ABCs, 123s and the traits of good character, including respect for others (even those with whom they disagree). The environment in which children learn these things should be free from bullying and harassment. And neither they, nor their parents, should be bullied by any provincial premier in the process.

published by the National Post

Don Hutchinson is vice-president and general legal counsel of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

Graham Hughes for National Post
Paula Celani was fined by the city of Montreal, which alleged her event in a rented hall was illegal because it involved religious worship.

National Post Staff Nov 3, 2011 – 5:30 AM ET | Last Updated: Nov 3, 2011 9:15 AM ET

By Graeme Hamilton

MONTREAL • On a Sunday morning two years ago, Paula Celani and about 80 members of her Catholic lay group gathered in a hall they had rented from the city. They watched an inspirational video, they prayed, they celebrated mass and they capped it off with a potluck lunch. “We had a beautiful day,” Ms. Celani recalls.

But now that beautiful day has generated a nasty court battle after she was hit with a $144 ticket from the city, which alleged her event was illegal because it involved religious worship.

This week her lawyer advised Montreal municipal court that he will challenge the fine on constitutional grounds.

The case illustrates how far the pendulum has swung in a province once dominated by the Church. Public displays of religious faith have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years as Quebecers have embraced secularism. The opposition Parti Québécois has proposed legislation that would prohibit members of the civil service from wearing “ostentatious” religious symbols. In a move targeting Muslim women who wear the niqab, the Liberal government has introduced a bill to require that those giving and receiving public services do so with their faces uncovered.

John Zucchi, a McGill University history professor who is president of the non-profit group that organized the 2009 event, said the case against Ms. Celani is evidence of state secularism gone overboard.

“I think there is something wrong here when you’re renting space for private use that you cannot be free to do what is very important to you,” he said “There’s this idea that there’s a new norm in Quebec, a secular norm, that we are all supposed to subscribe to.”

Ms. Celani is named on the ticket because she signed the rental agreement with the borough of Lachine, on behalf of the En Route Foundation. The activities of the foundation, a federally registered charity, include the distribution of religious literature and the organization of spiritual symposiums and retreats.

In emails provided to Ms. Celani, borough employees alerted their superiors that in their eyes something fishy had transpired during the Oct. 4, 2009 gathering at Lachine’s Maison du Brasseur.

“François, Daniel and I realized that it was a religious event,” Virginie Gagnon, one of the witnesses against Ms. Celani, wrote. She reported that participants “celebrated mass in the Entrepôt room, and there was a meal and religious songs in the Maison du Brasseur afterwards.” A ballet instructor who happened by “was even asked if she wanted to buy a rosary. However, if I am not mistaken, activities related to worship are prohibited in municipal buildings.”

Another employee reported that the audio-visual presentations included a PowerPoint featuring Biblical passages. He confirmed that a mass was celebrated “roughly between 11:15 and 12:30.”

About seven months later, Ms. Celani opened her mail to find a ticket. At first she assumed she had parked illegally or been caught speeding, but she quickly learned it stemmed from her rental of the Maison du Brasseur.

The fine print of her rental agreement, which she says she was never shown, spells out some restrictions: no smoking, no confetti inside or out, no propane tanks inside the building. Then it cites a zoning bylaw to declare that no activities of worship — “prayer, religious song and religious celebration” — are permitted. The area of Lachine where the Maison du Brasseur lies is not zoned for places of worship.

“When I got the ticket I thought, it’s easier just to pay it. But I was really upset,” Ms. Celani said. “I remember when I got that ticket I sat with it and thought, I can’t believe that I’m getting a ticket because I participated in something that is very dear to me. . . . I was stunned.”

She is now represented by a lawyer, Robert Reynolds, who in a brief court appearance Tuesday was granted more time to submit constitutional arguments. He said in an interview that he would first argue that the city is simply misinterpreting its zoning rules, which he said are supposed to govern the regular use of a building. “Saying that to rent it out occasionally for religious purposes somehow changes the destination makes no sense,” he said.

If that fails, he will invoke protections of religious freedom enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “Freedom of religion includes the right to practise one’s religion openly,” he said. “Sure there may be restrictions. However in a situation like this, we are contending that it is overstepping the bounds.”

Denis Gaumond, a political aide at Lachine borough hall, said the borough would not discuss a case that is before the courts. Ms. Celani is scheduled to return to court Feb. 22.

Mr. Zucchi said he is worried about the message that will be sent if the ticket is not overturned. “I just wonder how far the state’s going to go,” he said, noting that the building in question is also used for wedding receptions. “If a minister or rabbi or priest comes in to say grace, are they going to be stopped from doing so, or fined for doing so?”

National Post

Toronto, Ontario

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

Charismatic leader Jack Layton has lost his battle with Cancer.

Layton stepped down as federal NDP leader after being diagnosed with
an aggressive secondary cancer. He had hoped to resume his duties in parliament this fall.

“We deeply regret to inform you that the Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 a.m. today,” his family said in a statement. “He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones.”

It is a tragic loss to the Canadian political landscape. Our condolences and prayers are with his family and friends.

Layton was 61.

JERUSALEM—Assailants armed with heavy weapons, guns and explosives launched three attacks in quick succession in southern Israel near the border with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding about a dozen more, officials said.

The rare violence in that part of the country targeted a passenger bus, a military patrol and a private car, the officials said. Channel 10 TV reported a fourth attack, but there was no official confirmation or details. The military said a “large number” of assailants were working in multiple squads.

“We are talking about a terror squad that infiltrated into Israel,” said Israeli military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. “This is a combined terrorist attack against Israelis.”

The violence near the resort city of Eilat stoked concerns about growing lawlessness in neighbouring Sinai following the ouster in February of Egypt’s longtime autocratic leader, Hosni Mubarak.

Last week, Egypt moved thousands of troops into the Sinai Peninsula as part of a major operation against Al Qaeda inspired militants who have been increasingly active in Sinai since Mubarak’s ouster in February. The militants have taken advantage of the security vacuum caused by the abrupt withdrawal of police forces. Authorities have blamed the militants for brazen attacks on police patrols as well as a string of bombings on a key pipeline carrying natural gas to Israel and Jordan.

“The incident underscores the weak Egyptian hold on Sinai and the broadening of the activities of terrorists,” Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement. “The real source of the terror is in Gaza and we will act against them with full force and determination.”

Bedouins in Sinai co-operate with anti-Israel militants in Gaza, just across the border.

The driver of the bus said he had seen Egyptian soldiers open fire, but military spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai said he was not aware of any Egyptian military involvement.

Israeli security forces tracked down some of the assailants and are engaged in an ongoing gun battle with them, Mordechai said. The attackers fired mortars and an anti-tank missile, he said. The military spokesman’s office said a roadside bomb was detonated when a military patrol arrived at the scene of the bus attack and drove over the device.

Mordechai said the nature of the attack indicated that it had been well planned.

The military said several assailants had been killed in the shootout with Israeli forces, but did not give a number.

A doctor at the main hospital in the area said the medical facility had been put on an emergency alert. Israel Radio said roadblocks were thrown up in the area and that entrances and exits to Eilat were sealed. Senior Israeli defence officials convened in emergency session at the defence ministry in Tel Aviv.

Israel Radio reported an explosion in another southern town about 230 kilometres away, Beer Sheba, but the gunfire there was unrelated, Channel 10 TV said.

In Egypt, a senior security official denied that the attackers crossed into Israel from the Sinai Peninsula or that the buses were fired at from inside Egyptian territory.

“The border is heavily guarded,” said the Sinai-based official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Israel Radio said a vehicle had followed the first bus, and two to three gunmen got out and opened automatic weapons fire.

The vehicle carrying the assailants fled the scene, and Israeli security forces were in pursuit, Israel Radio said. Channel 2 said two helicopters had been deployed to join the chase.

TV footage showed the bus pulled over by a red rocky cliff. Windows and a door of the bus were shattered, and soldiers were patrolling the area on foot.

Inside the bus, seats were stained with blood and luggage littered the aisle.

“I was talking to someone sitting next to me and we heard gunshots and we immediately bent over and then we realized there were people injured,” a young woman riding the bus told Channel 2 TV. She did not give her name.

The bus driver interviewed by Channel 2 did not provide details of the attack but appeared calm, smoking a cigarette in the driver’s seat.

In 1968 the Royal designation was removed from the navy and air force when the branches were renamed and brought under one central command named the Canadian Armed Forces. The Conservative government has reversed this decision and returned the traditional designation of “Royal” to the Canadian Navy and Air Force.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Tuesday his government has corrected a historic mistake by restoring the “royal” designation to the air force and navy, a move he says will come at a minimal cost.

“Our Conservative government believes that an important element of the Canadian military heritage was lost when these three former services were required to relinquish their historic titles,” MacKay said. “Today, I am honoured to announce that the three elements of the Canadian Forces will have their historic names restored.”

Veterans and those in military circles laud the decision in restoring our connection to the Commonwealth and celebrating our rich military heritage.
This decision however has also rendered criticism from those who claim that it is waste of money and a return our colonial past.

McKay also rejected the criticism that the government’s decision signals closer ties with the British monarchy and diminishes Canada’s sovereignty. MacKay said Canada’s ties to the Crown “are very real,” particularly when it comes to the Canadian Forces, and that those links have “no impact whatsoever” on operational matters and sovereign decisions.

“I believe that this is consistent, I believe that this is about continuity, it’s about respect for our past,” he said, “And I believe that this is something that the majority of Canadians will embrace.”

OTTAWA – Sun News Network won’t roll over in the face of an orchestrated campaign to silence its style of journalism and will continue to take on controversial subjects some deem to be off limits.

In a written response Friday to an unprecedented number of complaints to the broadcast watchdog over an interview between Sun News host Krista Erickson and dancer Margie Gillis over government funding of artists, the network submits the exchange did not violate guidelines or codes.

“It is part of the mandate of Sun News to explore topics and issues that have not been fully explored in other media, including other broadcasters,” Tycho Manson, director of legal affairs for Quebecor Media Inc. writes in a letter to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

“It is also part of the mandate of Sun News to explore such topics and issues in a thought-provoking, fearless and hard-hitting way.”

Part 1 of Sun News Interview

Manson said the dancer was an ideal interviewee on the subject of arts funding after she made a “controversial, political statement” on the need for further funding at the? Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. Gillis has received about $1.2 million in funding over 13 years.

Click here to read Sun News’ letter to the CBSC.

While Sun News understands many people support the use of tax dollars for the arts, there are just as many who don’t, Manson noted.

Gillis is praised for forcefully and articulately defending her views during the exchange – a debate that is rarely seen in Canadian television journalism when interviewer and interviewee go toe-to-toe.

“Numerous complaints to the CBSC accused Ms. Erickson of in some way attacking Ms. Gillis. These statements do not do justice to Ms. Gillis. They minimize and downplay the tenacity with which she presented the other side of the debate,” Manson argues.

As for complainants who called for Sun News to be pulled off the air, that would amount to censorship and “run counter to the fundamental principles, laws and constitutional rights afforded to a free media and on which a free society is based,” said Manson.

“Sun News, like all private media, is accountable to its audience and to the courts. Those who are offended by content have many remedies at their disposal, including changing the channel. One remedy that should never be on the table is to censor or ban voices one disagrees with or is offended by.”

Mark.Dunn@sunmedia.ca

Twitter:MarkDunnSun

It is amazing what people see in a piece of toast or a billowing storm cloud.

What do you see in this video taken in New Brunswick?

By Sharon Gaudin