Province announces appeal of Catholic schools ruling

The Government of Saskatchewan is going to appeal a recent court decision barring non-Catholics from being funded to attend the province’s separate schools.

Yorkton Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Donald Layh ruled April 20 on a long-running dispute between public and Catholic school boards operating in the area of Theodore, Sask.

In his decision, Layh gave the province until the end of the next school year to stop providing funds for non-minority faith students to attend seperate schools.

The decision could affect as many as 10,000 students, who would potentially have to switch systems if the ruling is applied.

The Wall government has previously announced plans to invoke the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to effectively quash the ruling for at least five years.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant addressed the matter in a news release issued Wednesday morning, saying he hoped an appeal would provide further clarification on the issue. 

Wyant said he expected the province to file its formal notice of appeal Friday,