John, Vivian and Noah to represent intervener in religious freedom case at Supreme Court of Canada
AMLC lawyers John Trueman, Vivian Li, and Noah Faust-Robinson will represent the intervener, British Columbia Humanist Association, at the Supreme Court of Canada on October 9, 2026, in an important appeal at the intersection of privacy rights and freedom of religion. This is the fourth appearance by AMLC lawyers at the Supreme Court of Canada in the past three years.
The appeal, Vabuolas v. Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, concerns the constitutionality of the Personal Information Protection Act, the BC law that governs how private sector organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information. The appellants are religious organizations who argue that their records about ex-members are confidential and that it would infringe their freedom of religion under section 2(a) of the Charter to disclose them to the individuals whom the records are about. AMLC has represented the BC Humanists throughout this matter, including as an intervener before the BC Supreme Court and the BC Court of Appeal. Read our previous update on the Court of Appeal intervention.
In his oral submissions to the Court, John will explain that freedom of religion includes the freedom to leave a religion, and that privacy legislation and the Charter share the same foundational values of freedom, consent, autonomy, and dignity. He will argue that religious freedom should not become a vehicle to subvert the privacy rights of individuals, including people who have chosen to leave organized religion.
John is supported by two of AMLC’s strong junior lawyers: Noah, who was called to the British Columbia bar in 2026, and Vivian, who was called in 2025. Their involvement reflects our firm’s practice of engaging junior lawyers in significant appellate work early in their careers.
Allen / McMillan Litigation Counsel’s award-winning pro bono practice often includes public interest interventions for organizations such as the British Columbia Humanist Association, who bring important perspectives to the law but have limited resources. AMLC lawyers have previously represented the BC Humanists at the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the BC Supreme Court, the BC Court of Appeal and, now for the third time at the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing on October 9, 2026, will be webcast live.