Talia Battista has faced intense discrimination from her university and its student union, because of her pro-life beliefs. She was repeatedly denied access to crucial resources for marginalized students, simply because she is pro-life.

Talia’s case is making progress, but the fight isn’t over yet. Your donation will help her to continue seeking justice. Can you help?

Pro-Life Student Discriminated Against at Ryerson University

In 2017, Talia filed a complaint at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, claiming her university and student union discriminated against her based on her pro-life creed.

At the time, Toronto Metropolitan University was named Ryerson University, and the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union was named the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU). 

Though Talia was forced to pay student union dues, she was denied access to her student union’s services–because of her pro-life beliefs.

Although Talia is black, she was denied access to community support for students of colour.

Although Talia is female, she was banned from the Centre for Women and Trans People.

Although Talia has a disability, she was denied access to support for students with disabilities.

Although Talia is a survivor of sexual assault, she was refused entry to an event for survivors seeking healing. 

Why was she denied access? Simply because, elsewhere, she exercised her Charter rights to peacefully share her pro-life beliefs where other students might see her.

“As a Caribbean student, it was painfully ironic to be denied access to Black History Month celebrations. But as a survivor of sexual assault, being forced to ‘ask permission’ to seek out healing was traumatizing .”

Talia asked to attend an event for healing from sexual assault, which was jointly held by Consent Comes First (Ryerson University) and the RSU.

“As a survivor of rape, I was struggling with PTSD, and feelings of self-blame over what had been done to me. I reached out to the student union expecting help and understanding, but instead I was told it would be ‘inappropriate’ for me to attend this healing event.”

Through a Freedom Of Information Request, Talia uncovered emails of RSU employee Corey Scott seeking to ban Talia from this healing event, stating, “They know that they are not allowed to spew anti-choice and anti-women rhetoric in the spaces but we cannot be confident that the rule will be followed and if her presence alone is enough to disrupt and make the space unsafe.”

Talia has always been peaceful when exercising her freedom of expression. To this date, Talia has never been contacted by the RSU, or Ryerson University, regarding any formal complaints of her behavior. Meanwhile, the pro-choice advocates at Ryerson have a documented history of assault, theft, and harassment.

Ryerson University Lets Student Union Employees Disrupt a Healing-Focused Event

On April 12th 2017, Talia hosted a university-approved event on abortion, where speakers shared their own stories of healing after abortion. Resources were available for those seeking counseling, and students were invited to ask questions or share experiences.

But, instead of exercising their Charter rights to peacefully protest the event, student union employees disrupted the event, declaring: “I’m not protesting it. I’m shutting it down.”

Did Ryerson University stand up for free speech, and protect Talia’s right to finish the booked event? No. Ryerson University forced Talia to end her event early. When that wasn’t enough for student union employees, Ryerson University forced Talia to leave the area.

Complaint Filed at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

In August 2017, Talia filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

On March 23, 2022, the  Tribunal held a combined preliminary/summary hearing to determine:

“1.   Whether the Tribunal should dismiss all or part of this Application because there is no reasonable prospect that all or some part of the Application will succeed; and

2.   whether to dismiss all or part of this Application because it is unclear whether the applicant can establish that having a pro-life “system of beliefs” constitutes a creed as defined under the Human Rights Code.”

If Talia lost on either issue, the complaint could be dismissed.

Victory for Talia, and for Pro-lifers in Canada!

On January 27, 2023 the Tribunal ruled: “I find that the applicant has established that her pro-life stance is a tenet of her creed founded in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.”

The Tribunal further ruled that, “The allegations against RSU and Ryerson University on the basis of creed will continue in the Tribunal’s processes.”

Lawyer Garifalia (Lia) Milousis states: “This decision is an unprecedented victory. For years, pro-life individuals have tried to explain to an increasingly dismissive society that their views are not simply expressions of personal preference or individual whim. Rather, the pro-life worldview is a comprehensive ethic that upholds the sanctity of every human life from the moment of conception to an individual’s natural death. To finally have a decision from the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal recognize this fact—recognize that the pro-life worldview is a “creed” within the meaning of the Ontario Human Rights Code—is truly precedent setting and ground-breaking.”

Over five years after the complaint was filed, the first battle was won—but not without tragedy first.

Heaven Gains a Hero

Constitutional lawyer, Carol Crosson, had represented Talia for years in filing the complaint, and at the March 2022 hearing. A charity that Carol established, Rights and Freedoms Advocate, provided a grant for previous legal costs.

On January 17, 2023, just ten days before the ruling, Carol Crosson suddenly passed away.

Talia shares, “I was in the office when I found out, and I just started crying at my desk. Shock doesn’t begin to describe it. Carol couldn’t be gone.”

“A few days later, Carol’s husband called me. Even through his grief, he called to make sure I was okay, and to encourage me to speak up. Carol’s courage has strengthened my  resolve to continue fighting, and to speak publicly about what happened to me. I want other pro-lifers to know they do not stand alone—especially those battling on hostile university campuses.”

What happens next? The first battle has been won, but the war is just beginning. Now, Talia’s complaint will go to a full hearing—to hold her university and student union accountable.

Talia needs your help to continue fighting

Talia needs the support of everyday pro-lifers and people who support free speech. Your donation will help fund the legal expenses of the ongoing Human Rights Complaint and Freedom of Information Requests.

Together, we can show Toronto Metropolitan University that Talia does not stand alone.

Will you join Talia in the fight for justice and free speech on university campuses?