FAITH-BASED SCHOOLING AND THE POLITICS OF EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY OF ONTARIO, CANADA

This paper examines the political intersection of religion and education in Ontario, Canada, from1840 to 2011. Currently, Ontario is Canada’s most ethno culturally diverse province, and Toronto, its capital city, is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The issue of public funding of religious education in Ontario has emerged at varying times in the province’s history. In particular, selective Ontario provincial election campaigns are discussed in relation to exploring the degree to which public funding of religious education and religious accommodation emerged as political issues. Social mobilization theory provides a rich and varied conceptual lens through which to examine decisions that have led to the current place of state funding of religious education in Ontario.