So the final word looks to have come down on this issue.
Premier Dalton McGuinty of Ontario has said that he rejects the use of Sharia Law in civil courts, and “will move to prohibit all religious-based tribunals to settle family disputes such as divorce.”
This is probably the safe choice, certainly politically. As I’ve said before, I think this application of Sharia law with the Canadian system could have acted as a way to moderate the more extreme interpretations of the law. However, barring that option, the next best thing is probably the egalitarian solution. I will be interested to see the reaction of the Jewish and Catholic faiths as I think it is those tribunals that are threatened by McGuintys’ comments today.
We’ve missed an opportunity here but the exercise of the discussion has at least been valuable and hopefully beneficial.