Jackson Doughart: Trinity Western’s teaching grads are certified. Why shouldn’t its law students be?
A student who attended the law school of Trinity Western, even if he or she was not influenced by or in agreement with its views on sexuality, would be in effect prohibited. What sense does that make?
You would think that if the crusaders against Trinity Western University’s law program believed their own rhetoric against the school’s accreditation – the subject of a B.C. Supreme Court case that began this week – they would at least bother to be consistent. Indeed, if the university’s crime is a failure to stay in lockstep with the fashionable ideas of the day (namely, of progress and secularism at the expense of everything else), then surely the prohibition on Trinity Western’s law graduates would not be nearly enough.
Staying within the university itself, there is the school’s teachers college, whose right of religious freedom was confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2001. In that case, the Court found no evidence that a teachers program based on a Christian curriculum would lead its graduates to act in a discriminatory way, thereby overturning the decision of the British Columbia College of Teachers to not award the school its due certifications. That legal precedent should be enough to put the entire matter to bed: Trinity Western’s graduates, in whatever field, should be judged based on their own performance and an objective appraisal of the school’s ability to educate, not the rest of the country’s opinion of their religious beliefs.
- National Post View: In a liberal society Trinity Western should be free to educate according to its beliefs
- John Carpay: The Bar Association doesn’t speak for all
To see the can of worms being opened here, consider that the law school and teachers college at Trinity Western are but two of the programs at the university, whose students are required to pledge themselves to a community covenant. The fuss is over a controversial provision which permits sexual relations within the confines of Christian marriage only. But if the worry is that its law and teacher graduates might take the school’s traditionalist values with them to their prospective vocations, oughtn’t the ban be far broader? What about students who take a degree in philosophy from the school and then go on to a law degree at some other institution? Would such people not risk taking those Christian values with them, and thus merit blacklisting as well?
What about students from other, even secular universities who, while not attending a Christian school, espouse similar beliefs to that of Trinity Western, and dare to assemble in accordance with them? Every university that I know of has some kind of voluntary Christian student organization or club (often there are multiple ones, in accordance with denomination), with some groups going so far as to encourage their members toward similar ideals of chastity. I have read about some societies which have abstinence pledges of their own, and reserve the right to expel members for failing to live up to them.
Following the logic of the case against Trinity Western, aren’t these groups “discriminatory” as well? And if so, why aren’t they on the radar?
A student who attended the law school of Trinity Western, even if he or she was not influenced by or in agreement with its views on sexuality, would be in effect prohibited. What sense does that make?
Then there’s the big inconsistency involving our southern neighbour. The United States has, among its thousands of post-secondary institutions, countless Bible-thumping universities that train lawyers and grant law degrees. Some of them have community covenant-esque pledges of a similar variety to Trinity Western’s. Someone could go to one of these schools and take an undergraduate degree in theology, perhaps specializing in the finer points of Christian teachings on sexual mores, then get a JD from its law school and — with a few catch-up courses in Canadian law — be eligible for the bar in any of our provinces! Meanwhile, a student who attended the law school of Trinity Western, even if he or she was not influenced by or in agreement with its views on sexuality, would be in effect prohibited. What sense does that make?
So we see that the entire enterprise of ostracizing Trinity Western – whose chief sin seems to be the temerity to actually state its religious convictions – is entirely selective. The point isn’t whether the majority of members in a provincial law society (in this case, B.C.’s law society) share those views or consider them repellent. It’s that they’re jettisoning all consideration of fairness and reasonableness in making their preference into policy. If they won’t recognize the inconsistency in singling out Trinity Western for this absurd exclusion, they should at least respect the legal precedent honouring the freedom of religion, including for those whose beliefs are out of step with the zeitgeist.
National Post
About
Experience
- I edited the op-ed pages for the Telegraph-Journal, New Brunswick's newspaper of record. I also worked with the opinion page editors for the Brunswick News chain, including daily papers in Fredericton and Moncton and six weekly papers throughout the province. Principally, I author editorials representing the paper's view of provincial and municipal affairs. I also solicit, edit, organize and publish comment pieces by public policy experts, columnists and community voices.
- Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS)Jan 2016 to Jul 2017 · 1 yr 7 mosHalifax, Nova ScotiaResearch Coordinator
- Policy analysis, research, writing for publication, editing, translation, managing interns, campus outreach, event planning, website development, media appearances, speechwriting.
- Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueAug 2009 to Jul 2016 · 7 yrsMontreal, Canada AreaOn-ice official (Linesman)
- National Post, Inc.Jun 2015 to Oct 2015 · 5 mosToronto, Canada AreaIntern
- I was an intern with the National Post editorial board.
- Dowbiggin EnterprisesSep 2013 to Jun 2015 · 1 yr 10 mosResearch Assistant
- I was a grad student in Queen's political science program, concentrating in political theory. My Major Research Paper / M.A. thesis explored the argument over the legitimacy of judicial review with respect to religious freedom and the separation of church and state. My supervisor was Prof. Andrew Lister. I completed courses in ethnic nationalism, history of political thought, ancient philosophy, constitutionalism, philosophy of science, and American foreign policy. I was a teaching assistant for Prof. David Haglund in an undergraduate course in international relations.
Education
AIMS merges with the Fraser Institute to create Canada’s largest independent public policy think-tank
The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and the Fraser Institute are excited to announce their formal merger to create the largest independent think-tank in Canada, covering public policy from coast to coast. The merger is an opportunity for a renewed AIMS—within the Fraser Institute—to continue to be a distinctive Atlantic Canadian voice on economic and public policy issues affecting the region. “The coming together of our two great institutions will enhance the important work AIMS has been doing for more than twenty years, providing practical policy solutions to raise living standards and increase prosperity for people in Atlantic Canada today and for future generations,” said Niels Veldhuis, President of the Fraser Institute.
IMS History
1994-1995
AIMS launches with Brian Lee Crowley as Founding President and Cedric Ritchie as Chairman. Five major publications, three events, including one with Sir Roger Douglas of New Zealand who served as Minister for two labor governments. A presentation to Parliament about social security reform.
1995-1996
Purdy Crawford joins as Chairman “to help create a culture where public policy decisions are informed by all the relevant points of view.” AIMS hosts first annual conference: “The Coming Revolution in Local Government.”
1996-1997
Release of two books: Taking Ownership & Looking the Gift Horse in the Mouth the latter of which won the prestigious Sir Antony Fisher Award in 1997. AIMS 2nd annual conference on school choice. Chairman Purdy Crawford announces that AIMS has developed a prominent voice “that even our most vociferous critics find impossible to ignore.” Brian Lee Crowley also leaves for a position on the Globe and Mail editorial board and Don Cayo replaces him.
1997-1998
AIMS publishes Frank McKenna’s last speech as Premier of New Brunswick, emphasizing market solutions to economic development problems facing the region. The Institute also hosts a student conference, looking into issues such as post-secondary education, Canadian unity and federal transfers. AIMS hosts third annual conference: “Everybody’s Business: Market Solutions for Rural Development in Atlantic Canada.”
1998-1999
Don Cayo returns to the Telegraph Journal after two years as president of AIMS and Brian Crowley returns to AIMS. Fred McMahon, a senior policy analyst and winner of a Sir Anthony Fisher Award, accepts research post in Toronto.
1999-2000
A “watershed year,” according to Chairman Purdy Crawford as AIMS increased its funding and welcomes 1999 Nobel Prize Robert Mundell to the team. AIMS published two companion books by Fred McMahon: Road to Growth and Retreat from Growth, and four other major research papers. “Operating in the Dark,” authored by Brian Crowley, Dr. David Zitner, Director of Medical Informatics at Dalhousie University and Nancy Faraday-Smith, AIMS Policy Analyst, wins the Sir Antony Fisher Award. Former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed speaks at an AIMS event.
2000-2001
Purdy Crawford announces his departure as Chairman and Gerald Pond becomes AIMS’ Third Chairman. AIMS research on federal transfers is discussed during a private dinner with Finance Minister Paul Martin and several Canadian public policy experts. Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm tabled an AIMS report on offshore royalty regimes in the legislature. The government of British Columbia supplied each of their newly-elected MLAs with a copy of Road to Growth: How Lagging Economies Become Prosperous. AIMS received its first mention in the Wall Street Journal.
2001-2002
James Buchanan, 1986 Noble Prize economist, is the keynote speaker at an event focusing on equalization and federal transfers in joint-effort between AIMS, the Montreal Economic Institute and the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Authored by Ken Boessenkool, AIMS publication “Equalization Initiative” receives the Sir Antony Fisher Award. The Institute’s healthcare research also featured prominently in the Mazankowski Report and the fifth volume of the Kirby Senate Committee report. With respect to the energy sector, Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm cited AIMS research as a key inspiration of his government’s policy on energy exports.
2002-2003
Gerald Pond announces his departure as Chairman and David Mann becomes AIMS’ Fourth Chairman. Another banner year for AIMS: “Definitely NOT the Romanow Report” received extensive national coverage and culminated in a fourth Sir Antony Fisher Award. AIMS launched its first annual “High School Report Card.” Official Opposition Leader Stephen Harper identified AIMS as “Dollar for dollar, the best think tank in Canada.”. White House policy advisor David Frum identified AIMS as “the special forces of the think tank movement.”
2003-2004
“AIMS continues to serve as a strong and distinctive voice on public policy in Atlantic Canada,” — Chairman David Mann, on AIMS 10th anniversary year. 12 new reports on critical public policy issues, hosted upwards of 10 key events, published 22 commentaries to engage the public, policymakers, and the private sector, and addressed the Standing Committees at the House of Commons.
2004-2005
With over 200 think tanks and research organizations spanning 67 countries in the competition, AIMS wins the 2005 Templeton Freedom Award for outstanding research, the only North American outfit to be honored. 11 reports on public policy issues facing Atlantic Canada, 29 commentaries, and 12 special events featuring speakers such as former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. AIMS launched Atlantica.org, a website dedicated to free trade between Canada and the United States in the Atlantic region.
2005-2006
The annual “High School Report Card,” featured in Progress magazine, garnered more than one million hits on AIMS.ca. AIMS equalization papers “The Flypaper Effect” and “The 100 Per Cent Solution” received widespread regional and national coverage. AIMS launched the “Canadian Health Care Consensus Group,” comprising healthcare experts such as medical practitioners, former health ministers, and past presidents of the Canadian Medical Association.
2006-2007
David Mann announces his departure as Chairman and John F. Irving becomes AIMS’ Fifth Chairman. In his final “Message from the Chairman” Mann remarked that the Institute’s “ideas … have gone from the embryonic to the mainstream in fairly short order. This is why AIMS exists, not only to have good ideas, but also to share those ideas with others so that the uncommon becomes commonplace and the lives of individual Canadians get better.” Brian Crowley leaves for post at the Department of Finance Canada & Vice-President and Director of Operations Charles Cirtwill replaces him as Acting President.
2007-2008
AIMS President speaks in Milan on “Freedom of Choice in Education: Responsibility as a Systemic Principle.”. AIMS senior fellow Brian Fergun speaks at annual economics lecture of Cyprus Economic Society and David Mackinnon at the Empire Club of Canada on equalization. NB Education Minister Kelly Lamrock: “I think AIMS has done a huge service to the public in reminding us of the importance of having clear goals and measuring them well.” Municipal Report Cards; 38 papers, almost 1,000,000 unique visitors, 6,000,000 website hits and 500 news stories covering AIMS.
2008-2009
Fifteen years after founding AIMS, Brian Crowley announces his departure as President. Executive Vice-President Charles Cirtwill replaces him. AIMS hosts the “When Tea and Sympathy Are Not Enough” conference, on pharmaceutical issues, and Maclean’s Magazine features the Institute’s “National Municipal Performance Report” on their July cover issue. Throughout the year, the Institute published 37 papers and featured in more than 600 news stories.
2009-2010
John F. Irving announces his departure as Chairman and John Risley becomes AIMS’ Sixth Chairman. AIMS celebrates its 15th anniversary in Halifax with Afghan Ambassador Jawed Ludin and in Moncton with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush as keynote speakers. On the heels of Paul Bennett’s paper about expanding Nova Scotia’s “Tuition Support Program” , the provincial government expands the initiative. AIMS’ presentation to the Liberal government in New Brunswick inspires new tax reform legislation. AIMS’ “High School Report Card” inspires the Newfoundland and Labrador government to pursue education monitoring.
2010-2011
AIMS hosts Andrew Ross Sorkin, the author of “Too Big To Fail.” Michael Zwaagstra, AIMS Fellow in Education, spoke at the “Putting Students First and Fixing Our Schools” conference. AIMS expanded the “High School Report Cards” beyond Atlantic Canada into the Western Provinces in conjunction with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. AIMS published 44 papers and commentaries that were featured in more than 400 news stories.
2011-2012
Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney speaks at AIMS event, drawing 600 guests. On the public finance file, AIMS published two large studies to mark the end of the Federal Fiscal Arrangements Act and another one that used Ontario’s “Drummond Report” to analyze public finance in Atlantic Canada.
2012-2013
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty spoke in Halifax and joined Chairman John Risley for an hour-long fireside chat about the Canadian economy. Events with Kings MP Scott Brison, on “The Future of Atlantic Canada’s Economy” & Alessando Colombo of Politecnico di Milan on Municipal Policy and “Subsidiarity.”
2013-2014
Marco Navarro-Genie replaces Charles Cirtwill as President of AIMS. AIMS research team participates in consultations with provincial and federal government officials, including Nova Scotia Minister of Finance Diana Whalen and Federal Minister of Finance Joe Oliver. AIMS hosts Lorraine Mitchelmore, Shell Canada’s President, in back to back dinner events in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
2015 – 2016
Brought together 300 business and community leaders to address the major issues facing Nova Scotia’s economy. This high profile event placed AIMS at the center of the current discourse on the direction of our economy; most specifically, it enhanced a sense of agency within the business community and the community at large to improve the economic realities in our region. Published 60+ papers, studies, and opinion pieces authored by AIMS staff, research fellows, and contributing authors.
Jackson Doughart, AIMS on Campus
Aside from his professional pursuits, Jackson is an on-ice official and plays drums for the rock bands Chaotically Zen and Magnetic North.
Brunswick News editor-in-chief named to ‘Top 25 under 35’ class
Jackson Doughart, the editor-in-chief of Brunswick News has been named to Editor and Publisher Magazine’s Top 25 under 35 class for 2023.
Doughart, 31, is featured along with dozens of up-and-coming media workers across North America. In the winner’s announcement, Doughart does a short question and answer feature. His questions and answers are included below:
Q: What advice do you have for other young professionals in the news industry?
A: Jump at every opportunity to work across functions (e.g., sales, editorial, marketing, product) and learn the whole business, not just one specialized area.
Learn how to interpret and discuss data as our industry becomes more analytics-focused.
Get off of Twitter. It’s bad for you.
Q: How do you bridge the gap between traditional and digital journalism?
A: Reward journalists for breaking out of the print workflow. We must update our readers early and often to build a relationship with them.
Be transparent about growth progress and show people the path to a sustainable, digital-dominant business.
Adapt the presentation to the audience. A five-part series used to work for print, but it doesn’t engage online readers the same way. We need to package enterprise journalism so readers can digest it at their own pace and so the work can have a lasting impact.
Two other Canadian media workers were also recognized for their outstanding potential and achievements. The CBC’s Natascia Lypny and Cara McKenna, an editor with IndigiNews were also named to the 2023 class.