Catholic students can opt out of religion class

Human-rights settlement at Simcoe Muskoka board could extend across province

Students at an Ontario Catholic school board will soon have more flexibility to opt out of religious courses, thanks to a human-rights settlement that could have implications across the province.

A human rights complaint lodged against the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board by a former student has resulted in changes to the board’s exemption policies and an agreement to encourage other boards to adopt a similar approach.

The complaint, filed by Claudia Sorgini in 2016, alleged the student was discriminated against when she sought an exemption from religious classes. The case was to go before the province’s human rights tribunal but was privately settled late last month.

Sorgini’s complaint against the board stemmed from her final year at St. Theresa’s High School in Midland, Ont. She had taken what she thought were mandatory religious courses in her first three years at the school. In her final year, however, she learned that exemptions were possible. She applied for one with the support of her parents.

Both sides agreed that the school initially denied the request and sought multiple meetings to clarify the issue, but ultimately granted the exemption.

Sorgini alleged, however, that she felt pressure to stop seeking the exemption and faced reprisals once it was granted.

According to the terms of the settlement, the board’s exemption policy will be revised to allow students to stay in or opt out of whichever religious programs or activities they wish. The board will also develop a standardized exemption form that clearly lays out the process.