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w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 9 \ AT L A N T I C \ C E N T R A L \ W E S T REGIONAL WRAP-UP theory of evolution. The FSM demanded that their theory be taught alongside the other two; otherwise, it would proceed with legal action. It soon became an Internet phenomenon and a symbol of anti-religious fundamentalism. Elsewhere in the world, some follow- ers of the church of the FSM succeeded in getting the permission to wear their colander on their driver's licence photo: first, in Austria in 2011, and in Novem- ber 2015 in Massachusetts. The BBC article about the Austrian case quotes the police as saying: "The photo was not approved on religious grounds. The only criterion for photos in driving licence applications is that the whole face must be visible." It also reports the police required the claim- ant to obtain a doctor's certificate that he was "psychologically fit" to drive. It took him three years to get his licence. On the latter case, The Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts Reg- istry of Motor Vehicles reversed its initial refusal because it found that the customer's request was consistent with its established facial policy. "We do not get into the sincerity or the verac- ity of religious beliefs," the authority's spokesman said. None of these cases reached a court of justice. Interestingly, in his analysis, Sans- façon evokes the hypothesis that Pas- tafarians could eventually be the target of penal prosecution "for example in application of a law that would ban criticism toward, or mocking of, reli- gions or religious groups, in which case very serious questions of freedom of speech would be involved." The judge writes that such was not the case in the file before him, but his reference to a hypothetical legislation that would restrict freedom of speech coincides with a debate about bill 59, a provincial bill designed to repress hate speech and thus also radicaliza- tion. The bill would give the province's human rights commission control over the cases and was roundly denounced in the media as a threat to freedom of speech. Many feared it would, in fact, give religious groups power to sue anyone who would criticize or mock them. The Quebec government responded with some modifications, but some still judge it as a serious threat to free speech . . . and to satire in particular. So, is FMS a religion? A Pastafar- ian leader wrote in a column after the Charlie Hebdo attacks: "So in truth, as Pastafarians, while our religious beliefs are sincerely held, our actions can be satirical in the effort to prove a larger point[…] Satire is intended to do more than just entertain; it tries to improve humanity and its institutions. One would think this is a worthy goal of any religion." Ramen. — PASCAL ELIE pascalelie636@gmail.com Order # 804218-65203 $46 2 volume looseleaf supplemented book Anticipated upkeep cost – $3 per supplement 4- supplements per year Supplements invoiced separately 0-88804-218-3 Shipping and handling are extra. Price(s) subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. 00227VI-A48890 Canadian Employment Law Stacey Reginald Ball More than 6,145 cases cited Canadian Employment Law is a one-stop reference that provides a thorough survey of FNQMPZNFOU law and analysis of developing trends, suggesting potential avenues of attack as well as identifying potential weaknesses in the law. Canadian Employment Law has been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada, in superior courts in every province in Canada, and is used in law schools throughout Canada. CANADA LAW BOOK ® Available risk-free for 30 days Order online: www.carswell.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164 In Toronto: 416-609-3800 Also available online on WestlawNext® Canada EmploymentSource™ Untitled-4 1 2015-12-09 9:29 AM 82 Scollard Street, Toronto, Canada, M5R 1G2 Contact Stacey Ball at (416) 921-7997 ext. 225 or srball@82scollard.com web: www.staceyball.com Ball Professional Corporation Excellence in Employment & Labour Law • Counsel in Leading Cases • • Author of Leading Treatise • Wrongful Dismissal Employment Law Human Rights Post Employment Competition Civil Litigation Appellate Advocacy Disability Referrals on behalf of employees and employers respected Ball_CL_Mar_12.indd 1 12-03-13 2:27 PM

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