By Samuel E. Trosow, Western University and Bill Irwin, Western University There is a pressing need to consolidate Ontario’s separate and public school systems. Long ignored by most politicians, this controversial idea deserves a fresh and serious policy discussion — especially now, with the new Ontario government contemplating cuts to...

Humanists are disappointed that today's provincial budget continues the multimillion dollar giveaway to independent faith schools across the province. Budget 2018 estimates that independent schools across BC will receive over $425 million in public funding for 2018/19. Independent schools across BC can qualify for up to 50% of the per-student...

All schools and Provincial schools must be conducted on strictly secular and non-sectarian principles. The highest morality must be inculcated, but no religious dogma or creed is to be taught in a school or Provincial school. This section of British Columbia's School Act was written in 1876 and is, as...

The BC Humanist Association today wrote in support of the SOGI 123 resources being adopted by the Langley School Board. SOGI stands for sexual orientation and gender identity and was created for BC teachers in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the BC Teachers Federation, nine school districts and Out...

By Frank S. Ravitch, Professor of Law & Walter H. Stowers Chair of Law and Religion, Michigan State University A federal lawsuit was filed recently against the Mercer County, West Virginia Board of Education, challenging a Bible program in the elementary schools. The plaintiffs are the Freedom From Religion Foundation and two parents and...

In a blog post and coverage in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) Chair Michael Janz is asking whether his schools should be able to open a Catholic Faith program. Post by edmontonjournal. I knew Janz when we were at the University of Alberta. Since being elected to the EPSB, he’s spoken...

The BC Humanist Association (BCHA) joins teachers and the President of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTA) in celebrating School District No 27 decision to end its policy of distributing Gideon Bibles to grade 5 students in the district. In a phone call in response to the BCHA, SD 27 confirmed...

The BC Humanist Association affirms that in a secular country like Canada, the state has a clear duty of religious neutrality, meaning it must neither endorse nor prohibit any belief or non-belief. As part of our Secular Schools campaign, we have fought against the distribution of Gideon Bibles in public schools as...

Our education system is tasked with preparing the next generation for life in an increasingly pluralistic country. That system must be accommodating and welcoming to students of all faiths and none, or we risk segmenting our society and allowing extremism to foment. Bowen Island Montessori School is facing a human rights...

Echoing calls by the BC Humanist Association last week, Education Minister Mike Bernier announced yesterday that all public and independent schools in BC will have to make explicit references to sexual orientation and gender identity in their anti-bullying policies. Districts have been given until the end of the year to...