The Deputy Minister of Education in the Canadian federal territory of Nunavut has ruled that religious materials may be distributed in the public schools. Deputy Minister Kathy Okpik's statement (
full text) reads in part:
The Education Act allows District Education Authorities to grant permission for the distribution of religious materials in schools outside of the education program.
Governments cannot promote any particular religion or faith over another. As a public institution, the District Education Authority cannot show favoritism to one religious group over another. If a District Education Authority allows one religious group into the schools to distribute materials, it must allow all religious groups the same access.
No one, including teachers and students can be forced to participate in religious programs or receive religious materials if they object on personal, moral or religious grounds.
Nunatsiaq Online reports that the statement was issued shortly after the District Education Authority in the town of Arviat gave the Gideons permission to distribute Bibles to students in grades 5 through 12 in the schools.
