Christian university wins against Trudeau government over summer grants

A federal judge has ruled that an Ontario Christian University that was barred access to the Canada Summer Jobs Program did not receive funding simply because…it was a Christian institution. Justice Richard Mosley ruled that the Trudeau Liberals breached procedural fairness in its treatment of Redeemer University which is a private Christian liberal arts university in Hamilton, Ontario. Interim president for the University, Dr. David Zietsma says they responded to the government’s request for more information on their harassment and discrimination policy.  After submitting documentation, including their anti-discrimination policy, the application was denied without the government addressing any additional concerns.  Zietsma  says this ruling is precedent-setting for Christian universities across Canada.

In a rare decision, the judge also ordered the federal government to pay Redeemer University’s full legal costs which amounted to $102,000. Previously, the university had been participating in the Canada Summer Jobs Program since 2006 without incident.