July 14, 2004

The Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
Box 9041 Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E1

Dear Mr. Campbell:

RE: Investigation of Bountiful schools

I am writing on behalf of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association ("BCCLA") to urge you to initiate a full and public investigation into the community of Bountiful, B.C.

The allegations against Bountiful's religious leaders that have been recently reported in the media are credible and suggest that some very serious breaches of civil liberties and human rights have been occurring for many years. Former residents and concerned citizens allege that the sect propagates child abuse, sexual exploitation, and the denial of equal access to education and property rights generally, and for women and girls in particular. The BCCLA obtained a copy of a 1993 report entitled "Life in Bountiful: A Report on the Lifestyle of a Polygamous Community" from the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, which was completed on behalf of the former Ministry of Women's Equality. Although it has been some years since this report has been prepared, its contents corroborate recent allegations and lend support to the claim that there are on-going serious problems in Bountiful that need to be addressed by the provincial government.

The BCCLA is particularly concerned about the contentions surrounding Bountiful's two schools, both of which are publicly funded and must be regularly inspected under B.C.'s Independent School Act. Critics allege that the schools' teachings are inconsistent with the provincial curriculum. The high and early dropout rates of these schools indicate that Bountiful students are not receiving an education that will allow them to function outside the community or to be knowledgeable about their rights as citizens. The high dropout rates and alleged failures to meet provincial curriculum standards raise serious questions about the ability of this community to run its own schools or to educate its children on its own. A careful investigation must be undertaken to respond to these questions.

We urge the Ministry of Education to conduct a thorough inquiry into Bountiful Elementary-Secondary and Mormon Hills, a process that requires more than a cursory inspection of school materials. According to provincial legislation, students must abide by the compulsory school attendance age of 16, a standard which does not appear to be followed in Bountiful. Schedule I, section 1 of the Independent School Act also states that in order to receive certification by a provincial inspector, an educational program must not "promote or foster doctrines of… racial or ethnic superiority… [or] religious intolerance." Children have a right to a minimum standard of decent education that will allow them to make their own life choices and participate in a democratic society. It is the Ministry's duty to ensure that every B.C. citizen acquires the basic skills and knowledge to exercise this right and their related responsibilities.

We are writing to you now about this issue because we understand that the Attorney General of B.C. has taken the issue of Bountiful to the Liberal Caucus. The Association has written to the Attorney General in the past, emphasizing that investigations should focus on alleged criminal offences such as child and spousal abuse, rather than the criminalization of polygamous relationships. We continue to urge that allegations of child and spousal abuse be fully investigated and that charges be laid where there are sufficient grounds for doing so. We maintain, however, that the question of polygamy is an unhelpful diversion from the other allegations at hand. The key underlying issue is not whether a man is co-habiting with more than one woman, but whether sexual or spousal abuse or exploitation is taking place.

Given the systemic nature of the allegations against Bountiful leaders, a thorough investigation will require the active participation of several ministries, including the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services. In these circumstances, it is up to the government to devise a coordinated plan to investigate and respond to the allegations that have been made about inadequate education and the mistreatment of women and children in Bountiful. We urge the Government of British Columbia to give its most serious attention to these allegations and to act immediately to address them.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is any further way we can assist you with your deliberations on this matter.

Sincerely yours,

John Russell President

cc: The Honourable Geoff Plant, Attorney General of British Columbia
      The Honourable Tom Christensen, B.C. Minister of Education
      The Honourable Christy Clark, B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development
      The Honourable Murray Coell, B.C. Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services

 

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
425 - 815 West Hastings Street
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V6C 1B4

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