Alberta v Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony; 24 Jul 2009

References: 9 Alta LR (5th) 1, 310 DLR (4th) 193, 2009 SCC 37 (CanLII)
Links: Canlii
Coram: McLachlin CJ and Binnie, LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Abella and Rothstein J
Canlii Constitutional law – Charter of Rights – Freedom of religion – New regulation requiring photo for all Alberta driver’s licences – Members of Hutterian Brethren sincerely believing that Second Commandment prohibits them from having their photograph willingly taken – Whether regulation infringed freedom of religion – If so, whether infringement justified – Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ss. 1, 2(a) – Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, Alta. Reg. 320/2002, s. 14(1)(b) (am. Alta. Reg. 137/2003, s. 3).
Constitutional law – Charter of Rights – Right to equality – Discrimination based on religion – New regulation requiring photo for all Alberta driver’s licences – Members of Hutterian Brethren sincerely believing that Second Commandment prohibits them from having their photograph willingly taken – Whether regulation infringed right to equality – Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 15 – Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, Alta. Reg. 320/2002, s. 14(1)(b) (am. Alta. Reg. 137/2003, s. 3).
This case is cited by:

  • Cited – Bank Mellat -v- Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2) SC (Bailii Summary, WLRD, Bailii, [2013] UKSC 39, [2013] Lloyd’s Rep FC 580, [2013] 3 WLR 179, [2013] HRLR 30, [2013] 4 All ER 533, [2013] WLR(D) 244, WLRD, UKSC 2011/0040, SC Sumary, SC)
    The bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic . .