Obligatory Oaths of Allegiance and freedom of religion: Wirring

May a professional obligation to swear an Oath of Allegiance to one’s Head of State violate one’s rights to religious freedom and equality? That was the question before the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta in Wirring v Law Society of Alberta 2023 ABKB 580 (CanLII).

Background

Mr Wirring is an amritdhari Sikh. He graduated in law from Dalhousie University, completed his articles and applied to be admitted to the Law Society and practise law in Alberta. The Legal Profession Act RSA 2000 requires an applicant for admission as a solicitor in Alberta to swear various oaths in open court before a judge including the Oath of Allegiance, Continue reading