(xii) Trinity Western University TWU v British Columbia College oF Teachers (
BCCT) [2001] (1) S.C.R.
Kempling appealed the
BCCT ruling on the grounds that it violated his rights to freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression in section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The
BCCT went after him simply for writing letters to the editor!
Well, because
BCCT did not approve of TWU's Mission Statement: namely, "...to develop godly Christian leaders: positive, goal-oriented, university graduates with thoroughly Christian minds".
Several years ago the
BCCT refused to certify Trinity Western University's teacher education program because TWU asked its students to uphold Christian standards and refrain from "premarital sex, adultery, and homosexual behaviour" while attending the University.
Kempling was brought before the
BCCT to answer this charge on the complaint of a local woman, not herself a
BCCT member.
If a teacher in the public school system engages in this "discriminatory" conduct, that teacher can be subject to disciplinary proceedings before the
BCCT.
The
BCCT took exception to Trinity's community standards contract, which requires students to refrain from "involvement in the occult, and sexual sins such as premarital sex, adultery or homosexual behaviour." It decided that such a stand was "contrary to the public interest."
Trinity Western University v British Columbia College of Teachers (
BCCT)