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Term 17 The Dec. 4, 1996 vote on Term 17 revoked constitutionally guaranteed religious education rights in Newfoundland. The measure was taken at the request of Newfoundland's Liberal government, which has been trying to seize control of the province's church-run schools for the last several years. The province claimed that a 1995 referendum gave them a "mandate" to do so - even though the question was approved by a slim majority and with a very poor turn-out. (32% voted and 54% of those said "yes". This development is of serious concern to the pro-life, pro-family movement. Catholic and Protestant schools are generally more likely to transmit principles of respect for life and family. The promoters of abortion, euthanasia and alternate lifestyles would like nothing better than to see the end of all religious schools in Canada. The passage of Term 17 is a precedent which will encourage attempts in other provinces to eliminate religious schools. Quebec has already almost succeeded in doing so, but its efforts were interrupted by the federal election. The federal Liberals have indicated that they would be happy to oblige this effort after the election. |