A case affecting all Sabbatarians in Canada, involving claims that the present Federal Blue Laws violate the Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of religion, was taken under advisement here today by the Supreme Court of Canada.
The immediate issue concerned an appeal by two bowling alley operators in Ontario who had been fined $25 each for operating their establishments on Sunday in violation of the Lord’s Day Act. John J. Robinette, their attorney, told the High Court that the act imposes a Christian religious observance on all Canadians, whether or not they are Christians. He maintained the act violated the religious freedom clause of the Bill of Rights.
W.C. Bowman, counsel for the Province of Ontario, argued that the Lord’s Day Act was not aimed solely at the observance of the Christian Sabbath on Sunday, but established a day of rest for all Canadians. Jews and other Sabbatarians in Canada are awaiting the High Court’s decision with great interest.
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