A Clean Slate: Regina vs. Wiebe - The Trial

The media quickly became a forum for those interested in the boundaries between provincial education requirements and individual religious rights, many forgetting that the preservation of both was a hallmark of a democratic society. Given the lack of precedent in the area, the public was engaged in furious debates.

Provincial Rights and School Act Challenged

The Mennonite community at Linden was charged with truancy for acting against Alberta’s School Act in favour of their beliefs, as outlined in the Bible. A pacifist group, they chose to keep to themselves, refusing to be engaged in any sort of confrontation, including, but not limited to, that mandated by law. At the time, there were six other breakaway Mennonite schools located in Alberta. Members of the respective communities kept current with the developments of the case, some even travelling to be present during the trial, offering support to their brethren. Individuals from the Mennonite community reminded Albertans of promises of religious freedom made to their forefathers who settled the country over 100 years before, stating that if their rights were not protected, they would consider relocation to a district that could protect the right to their faith.

On the other side, professional associations were up in arms. The Alberta School Trustees Association (ASTA) annual conference was characterized by a strong undercurrent of feelings on either side of the debate, dividing its members along ideological lines like never before. Some individuals felt state involvement was necessary to ensure educational standards for children, even if it overruled the wishes of their parents. Many felt the provincially granted teacher’s certificate was the only guarantee the students would be taught effectively. Others believed that parents who wanted their children to be taught with a philosophy different from the majority of the populace had rights as well, and believed that quality in teaching personnel could be defined in more than one way.

Regardless of all of the preliminary debating, everything rested on the trial and Justice Oliver’s subsequent verdict. Upon hearing that Elmer Wiebe was found not guilty, many individuals felt the foundation of the provincial education system was threatened and perceived an appeal was imminent. However, nothing of the sort ever materialized.