A Right to Speak Out: The Morin Case and its Implications for Teachers’ Free Expression

摘要

In 1988, Richard Morin, a Grade 9 teacher in Prince Edward Island, Canada was removed from the classroom for showing his students a film that was critical of Christian fundamentalism. The ensuing court battle, which eventually resulted in Morin’s vindication in 2002, has received surprisingly little attention. I begin the analysis with a careful examination of the legal issues involved in Morin’s trial and subsequent successful appeal, and also explain the relationship of these decisions to the famous case of James Keegstra in Alberta. Following this, I discuss the implications of the Morin case for teacher free expression in Canada. I conclude by suggesting that Canadian teachers may well have more scope for free expression than they realize.