The appellant, a Roman Catholic teacher in a Roman Catholic school, was not rehired after marrying a divorced man in a civil ceremony, contrary to Church rules.
She filed a human rights complaint alleging discrimination based on marital status and religion.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the school's requirement of religious conformance was a bona fide occupational qualification under section 8 of the Human Rights Code, given the special nature of the Catholic school.
Furthermore, the school's actions were protected under section 22 of the Code, which permits religious organizations to grant preferences to members of their identifiable group.