Canada’s polygamy dilemma: prosecution or tolerance?

In November, 2012, Supreme Court of British Colombia, Canada, Chief Justice Robert Bauman in a landmark decision ruled that Canada’s ban of polygamy does not violate the country’s Charter of Rights. The ruling cites harms to women, children and society that result from the practice.

Links to a series of news articles chronicling Canada’s approach to its polygamous communities:

“If B.C. [British Columbia, Canada] charges either or both of Bountiful’s leaders, Winston Blackmore and Jim Oler, with the criminal offence of practising polygamy and loses, it opens the door for the free practise of plural marriage in the guise of religion. If B.C. loses, it could even open the door to other repugnant practices, such as female genital mutilation. Certainly, Muslim groups are anxiously watching to see what happens.”
– Source: Bountiful case has wide ramifications for Canadian law, Vancouver Sun, Canada, July 13, 2007

• Canadian polygamist leaders charged; reaction mixed (Jan. 8, 2009)
• B.C. should prosecute polygamists, says former sect member (April 9, 2008)
• Where polygamy rules (Aug. 26, 2003)
• Cult fears ignored (Aug. 1, 2004)
• Sex abuse allegations spur probe by RCMP
• B.C. politicians voice concerns over polygamy in Bountiful (Jan. 27, 2006)
• British Columbia mulling charges against polygamist sect (May 10, 2007)
• Canadian authorities consider charges against polygamist; Special prosecutor appointed (June 6, 2007)
• Bountiful case has wide ramifications for Canadian law (July 13, 2007):
  “If B.C. charges either or both of Bountiful’s leaders, Winston Blackmore and Jim Oler, with the criminal offence of practising polygamy and loses, it opens the door for the free practise of plural marriage in the guise of religion. If B.C. loses, it could even open the door to other repugnant practices, such as female genital mutilation. Certainly, Muslim groups are anxiously watching to see what happens.”
• Prosecutor rejects charges in Bountiful sex abuse case (Aug. 1, 2007)
• Time to test polygamy law in court: Prosecutor (Aug. 1, 2007)
• Religious Rape? (Opinion, Aug. 3, 2007)
• Polygamy: Criminal act or religious right? (Aug. 10, 2007)
• Attorney-General appoints lawyer to revisit polygamy report (Sep. 8, 2007)
• Hope springs Bountiful? (Oct. 1, 2007)
• Top court must decide polygamy issue, government told (Apr. 8, 2008)
• • To see where Bountiful fits in with regard to polygamous sects of the Mormon Church, check the Polygamy Leadership Tree
• • The battle for Bountiful
• • More articles about Bountiful