Christian law school loses support

Photo: The Canadian Press

Minister of advanced education Amrik Virk is seen during a ceremony in announcing the B.C. Liberals new cabinet in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Friday, June 7, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

British Columbia's government has pulled its support for a proposed law school at a Christian university.

The decision by Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk follows an October vote by the B.C. Law Society not to recognize graduates of Trinity Western University.

At issue is a covenant at the Fraser Valley school that prohibits sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman.

Virk says the law society's decision means prospective graduates may not be called to the bar or practise law in the province, but the school can reapply for approval once legal issues are resolved.

University president Bob Kuhn says he is disappointed by the decision, and the university may head to the courts because important rights and freedoms are at stake.

The university went through a similar tumult in 2001, when the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Trinity Western over the B.C. College of Teachers in a dispute over an education school.

Virk's office made the announcement through a statement Thursday evening.