Sharia in Canada

Thanks to the Ontario Arbitration Act of 1991, the Islamic Institute of Civil Justice has been set up to allow Canadian Muslims to enter into arbitration based on the principles of Muslim sharia law. Supporters argue that other religious and cultural communities are allowed to arbitrate civil disputes among themselves. Opponents argue that Muslim women may be pressured by their community to submit to sharia arbitration, which is inherently discriminatory against women. Facing these concerns, the Ontario goverment is reviewing its decision.

More information: Aljazeera.net article, Toronto Star article, CBC viewpoint, Humanist Association of Toronto position