File photo. Students discuss after the showing of a documentary last year. (Catherine Dubois)

The Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) has given club status to a pro-life group, following several months of controversy.

The group had applied for club status last year, but were rejected on the basis that it was believed to be redundant, as the Women’s Collective advocates for women’s rights, and because the club’s proposed constitution included restrictive clauses that would prevent members having different views from joining.

The club threatened to take legal action if not granted club status back in April, and after seeking legal opinion, BUSU opted to give them club status. During a BUSU meeting, Jenna Clinton, BUSU Vice-President External, said that the group “seems harmless” and that they, like all other clubs, will be governed by Brandon University’s Respectful Environment Policy.

Pro-life groups in universities across Canada seeking official status have taken their respective student unions to court in similar situations. Student unions argue that pro-life groups limit the rights of women that are protected by law, while pro-life groups believe that freedom of expression is being undermined when they are refused club recognition.

Republished from The Quill print edition, Volume 104, Issue 2, September 10, 2013.