Education
Certificate in Human Rights Law (2015), Osgoode Hall.
LLM (2013), Constitutional Law, Osgoode Hall.
LLB (2010), University of Ottawa.
BA (Hons) (2007), Classics and Religion, McMaster University.
Courses
- Introduction to Politics and International Studies (POL-121)
- Introduction to Law (POL-207)
- Canada and the World (POL-210)
- Current Issues in Politics and International Studies (POL-301/401 (Capstone))
- Public Policy (POL-306)
- Human Rights and International Justice (POL-346)
About
André Schutten is a lawyer, called to the Ontario bar in 2011. He serves as Senior Counsel and Director of Training & Development at Christian Legal Fellowship. He researches and writes on law and public policy, particularly from a Christian perspective, and conducts regular analysis on the impact of different government bills and court judgments. He has represented Christian groups in various court interventions, having made arguments before the Supreme Court of Canada in four cases and written and oral arguments in Superior and Appellate courts in five provinces.
André previously worked as General Counsel and Director of Law & Public Policy at ARPA Canada, and as an intern for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and for the Centre for Faith and Public Life. André was also an adjunct faculty at Trinity Western University’s Laurentian Leadership Centre (2021-2023).
He, his wife Karyn (an illustrator, painter, and art teacher) and their four children live in Caledonia, Ontario, after having lived in the Ottawa area for 16 years. André has served as an ordained elder and a part-time church organist. André is a former Infantry Reservist and an advocate for maintaining the last remaining squash court at the Redeemer gym.
Research Interests
- Constitutional interpretation
- Human rights
- Fundamental freedoms (religion, conscience, expression, assembly, and association)
- Intersection of history, law, and theology
- Administrative law
- Church and state relations
- Public policy
Recent Publications
Schutten, André and Michale Wagner. Christian Citizenship Guide, 2nd Edition. Premier Printing Ltd., Winnipeg, MB, 2022.
Schutten, André and Tabitha Ewert. “Section 31 and the Charter’s unexplored constraints on state power.” Supreme Court Law Review 105, no. 2d (2022): 328-352.
Schutten, André. “Recovering Community: Addressing Judicial Blind Spots on Freedom of Association.” Supreme Court Law Review 98, no. 2d (2020): 399.
Sikkema, John and André Schutten. “Opportunity and Temptation: A Reformed Christian Legal Perspective on Church Discipline in Canada.” Cardus Religious Freedom Institute, October 2018.
Schutten, André. “Lethal Discrimination: A Case Against Legalizing Assisted Suicide in Canada.” Supreme Court Law Review 73, no. 2d (2016): 143.
Schutten, André and Richard Haigh. “Whatcott and Hate Speech: Re-thinking Freedom of Expression in the Charter Age.” National Journal of Constitutional Law 34, no. 1 (2015): 1.
Schutten, André. “The Need for Greater Protection of Religious Associational Rights in Employment.” Canadian Diversity 9, no. 3 (Summer 2012): 44.
Awards and Certificates
- International Law School Mediation Moot Competition First Place Trophy – Mediation, 2009
- International Law School Mediation Moot Competition Second Place Trophy – Advocacy, 2009
- Chief Justice Warren K. Winkler Cup for First Place Mediation Team, 2008