VANCOUVER — A decisive legal victory in British Columbia has put an evangelical Christian university one step closer in its bid to secure cross-Canada recognition for its proposed law school.
The Appeal Court of B.C. has ruled in favour of Trinity Western University, describing efforts by B.C.'s law society to deny accreditation to the school's future lawyers as "unreasonable."
The legal dispute centres around the university's community covenant banning its students from having sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage.
In its unanimous decision, the five judges concluded the negative impact on Trinity Western's religious freedoms far outweigh the minimal effect accreditation would have on gay and lesbian rights.
The decision upholds last year's B.C. Supreme Court decision against the Law Society of B.C. and its move to prevent the school's future law alumni from working in the province.
The Law Society of B.C. says the controversial code of conduct discriminates against members of the LGBTQ community hoping to enter the legal profession.
Trinity Western has stirred up controversy elsewhere, with both Nova Scotia and Ontario's law societies challenging the school's push for recognition.
