The appellants challenged amendments to Alberta's Local Authorities Election Act that restricted school employees from running for election as school trustees anywhere in the province unless they took a leave of absence and resigned if elected.
They argued the amendments violated their freedom of expression under s. 2(b) and equality rights under s. 15(1) of the Charter.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the claim under s. 2(b) was for a positive right to a statutory platform, which did not meet the exceptional criteria set out in Dunmore.
The Court also found no s. 15(1) violation, as occupational status is not an analogous ground.
