The Supreme Court of British Columbia
Summary:
Former Jehovah’s Witnesses requested access to personal information about themselves contained in elders’ notes in the possession of the former congregations. The congregations refused, arguing that to comply would mean disclosing the elders’ notes on their confidential deliberations about the spiritual status of the now disfellowshipped members. The B.C. Privacy Commissioner ordered that the documents be handed over to the Commissioner for review. The congregations challenged this order in Court. In 2023, ARPA intervened, defending the institutional freedom of religious organizations and urging the court to ensure that any compelled production of religious records serves a legitimate civil law purpose. The lower court found in favour of the Commissioner, as did the B.C. Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal in October. ARPA will appear before the Court as an intervener.
ARPA Canada’s submissions to the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
ARPA Canada’s submissions to the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
ARPA Canada’s submissions to the Supreme Court of Canada
Articles:
B.C. court decides Jehovah Witnesses must turn over church records to Privacy Commissioner
