An Ontario Superior Court judge has rapped the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton for closing the foster home of a couple who did not wish to lie to their wards. The court said the CAS violated the Charter freedoms of conscience, religion and expression of Derek and Frances Baars by ordering them to tell two young girls in their care that the Easter bunny was real and by closing the Baars’ foster home when they refused to lie. The Court said the Baars had constantly promoted the children’s well-being and “were clearly operating with the children’s best interests in mind.” The Court asked “is it more important to have the Easter Bunny or permanency?” It said the CAS had chosen the Easter Bunny.
