Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the "Albertans Toasting Ted" event on September 25th, 2024, in honor of Ted Byfield, hosted by and raising money for "The Society to Explore and Record Christian History" aka S.E.A.R.C.H. The explicity stated purpose of this event is to support S.E.A.R.C.H. in achieving their goal of placing Ted Byfield's book "The Christians" in schools and then actively involving themselves and school staff members in promoting the books. This book has not been independently reviewed for the accuracy of its extremely biased portrayal of historical events, but nevertheless draws concrete conclusions about morality and social responsibility from them. A direct quote from the event website below: 

"For those who would like to attend our exciting TOASTING TED event in September but cannot there is another way to honor Ted and support the goal of equipping ONE THOUSAND SCHOOLS with THE CHRISTIANS: THEIR FIRST TWO THOUSAND YEARS, as well as an effective STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM to ensure the books are put to work the moment they reach the schools."

The website goes on to say that two-thirds of the money raised at this event will go toward sponsoring the purchase of these books to place in schools, and a third will go toward "student engagement". A sitting premier endorsing this in ANY school which is not specifically a christian denominational school where parents have given informed consent about their children being taught morals based on religious belief systems is a blatant violation of both the Alberta Human Rights Act, which clearly and unequivocally states:

"In order to uphold respect for the diversity
of religious beliefs that exist in Alberta,
public institutions such as hospitals and
non-denominational schools must remain
neutral by not showing preference for any
one particular religion."

and then references precedent set by the Supreme Court of Canada:

In Mouvement Iaique Quebecois v. Saguenay (City),
the Supreme Court of Canada directed that
conduct in public institutions must not show
a preference for any one particular religion."

and Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which clearly and unequivocally states:

"Freedom from conformity to religious dogma (freedom to express and manifest religious non-belief and the freedom to refuse to participate in religious practice) is not necessarily impaired by legislation with a secular inspiration which requires conduct consistent with the tenets of a religion. Such legislation might, however, limit the freedom of conscience and religion of persons whose conduct is governed by an intention to express or manifest their non-conformity with religious doctrine (Edwards Books, supra at paragraph 101).

Although section 2(a) of the Charter is not infringed merely because education may be consistent with the religious beliefs held by a majority of Canadians, teaching students Christian doctrine as if it were the exclusive means through which to develop moral thinking and behaviour amounts to religious coercion in the classroom (Canadian Civil Liberties Assn. v. Ontario (1990)"

Even a cursory glance at S.E.A.R.C.H.'s website and description of the books Premier Danielle Smith would be endorsing and fundraising to place in, and actively promote in schools shows that to do so would amount to religious coercion as per the above definition. Just one example, prominently posted on the event's website:

"I think we can all agree that our civilization is in trouble. Some think it’s reaching a point of no return. But we as Christians know that God is always in control, and that we must serve to build the Kingdom as much as we are able. Equipping a school with these books is a powerful way to help inspire badly-needed reformation."

Premier Danielle Smith endorsing and fundraising for this initiative is a betrayal of all Albertans who value the rule of law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and do not wish for ANY religious beliefs to be imposed on children by authority figures in a public institution. Sign this petition to demand that Premier Danielle Smith withdraw from her role in this event, and apologize for her involvement. If this petition fails in that goal, sign it to force her to address this issue directly and explain to Albertans why she felt participating in this event was so important that it was worth violating the public trust and the highest law of our land.