Religious tribunals to be outlawed in Ontario - Premier

by Scully 26 Replies latest social current

• 

  Nathan Natas

  I sincerely doubt that the WTB&TS would let a mere LAW stand in their way.

  If they don't file suit, they'll probably change the JC arrangement to include FOUR elders - then it won't be a TRIbunal, will it?
• 

  Finally-Free

  So I wonder if a "religious tribunal" could be considered a violations of a person's rights if they are denied the right to legal counsel during the proceedings.

  W
• 

  Scully

  I wonder if the WTS will consider moving its Canadian Branch OUT of Ontario to escape this legal snag.
• 

  Lady Lee

  I saw this on the news last night but didn't make the connection until I saw you post it here Scully.

  This could be very BIG news.

  And once one province makes a statement like that it won't be long before the rest follow. (well maybe not Quebec). Now if it was a federal law and came under the federal law the WTS might have to move right out of Canada. But wouldn't they not be permitted to have any kind of JC at all regardless of where the office is? Wouldn't it apply to where the defendant lives?

  Oh I gotta watch for this one.
• 

  Scully

  LadyLee:

  But wouldn't they not be permitted to have any kind of JC at all regardless of where the office is? Wouldn't it apply to where the defendant lives?

  By moving the Canadian Head Office out of the Province of Ontario (where there is "one law for all Ontarians") they would no longer be held accountable for their corporate practices according to Ontario law; and the ruling would only apply to congregations in Ontario's jurisdiction. However, if they remain in Ontario, they would have to alter their corporate practices across Canada to comply with the ruling.

  I think you're right, though. Once it becomes law in Ontario, it won't be long until the rest of the country adopts this practice. Wouldn't it be hilarious to see the WTS have to move its Canadian Branch Office to Quebec?
• 

  Lady Lee

  Wouldn't it be hilarious to see the WTS have to move its Canadian Branch Office to Quebec?

  Yup!!!

  Since the language of business legally HAS to be french it wouldn't surprise me at all if they just pulled out of Canada and shut down HQs altogether
• 

  Scully

  ****FOR SALE****

  j/k </wishful thinking mode>
• 

  Elsewhere

  All this will do is push these tribunals underground.
• 

  Scully

  Elsewhere:

  All this will do is push these tribunals underground.

  You're probably right; even with the threat that "new laws ought to allow for the prosecution of religious leaders involved in faith-based arbitrations", that has never stopped the Watchtower's battle cry "We must obey God as ruler rather than men".

  But, it would give people like us some legal recourse in appealing a decision that slanders us or causes us undue hardship or alienates family members through shunning practices.
• 

  Lady Lee

  Elsewhere

  All this will do is push these tribunals underground

  True but if their own legal system/JCs are outlawed then people could conceivably go to a court of law after they have been subjected to a JC

  Like I said this COULD be big