The Canadian Secular Alliance released the following media advisory:

End Public Funding of Alberta’s Evangelical Schools

Schools receive government funding while they violate the rights of children

CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – April 29, 2014) – The constitutional rights of students in Alberta’s alternative public schools are being violated through the ban on Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) groups. GSAs aim to foster the inclusion of gay students and prevent bullying.

Alternative schools are primarily evangelical Christian schools that have signed agreements with public boards and receive 100% funding. Some force students to sign statements of faith claiming “sinners” will be condemned to eternity in a lake of fire.

“It’s time for governments to take a stand to protect students,” said Scott Rowed, Alberta Policy Advisor for the Canadian Secular Alliance. “Alberta Schools that practice religious bigotry and discrimination, or that violate a child’s right to freedom of association, should not receive public funding.”

A motion by Liberal MLA Kent Hehr to support GSAs was defeated, with Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson citing religious motives.

For information on the CSA’s position on public financing of religious schools, please see http://secularalliance.ca/about/policies/public-financing-of-religious-schools/