See ya, Sharia!

Mantaining balances in our multi-cultural society is not always easy. But in order for government and society to function smoothly there can be no legal exceptions that provide one group with certain privileges and deprive another of the same privileges. And so the prospect of allowing Sharia Law in Ontario to settle family law matters has been denied- thank god (or Allah, Mohammed or Buddha for that matter). Unfortunately, the Jewish community, who have used binding arbitration for years as a peaceful, judicious means of settling family disputes, will no longer to be able to do so.

While we still have a way to go towards equality of religion, ethnicity and culture in our society (a red herring that comes to mind is the existence of Catholic schools) this decision should be lauded, not only by women's and children's rights advocates, but by those who value the laws of our land. The institution of law is the most accurate reflection of what makes a society tick. Allowing the intrusion of such intolerant views into our legal system would have indeed been contrary to what the vast majority of Canadians value. It would have weakened the very fabric of our justice system. It would have been a grave mistake.