Education
Certificate in Human Rights Law (2015), Osgoode Hall
LL.M. (2013), Constitutional Law, Osgoode Hall
LL.B. (2010), University of Ottawa
B.A., Hons (2007), Classics and Religion, McMaster University
Courses
- Human Rights and International Justice (POL-246)
- Introduction to Law (POL-307)
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
A Christian Citizenship Guide, 2nd Edition, André Schutten & Michael Wagner, (2022: Premier Printing Ltd., Winnipeg, MB)
“Section 31 and the Charter’s unexplored constraints on state power” (co-author Tabitha Ewert), Supreme Court Law Review (2022) 105 S.C.L.R. (2d) 328
“Recovering Community: Addressing Judicial Blind Spots on Freedom of Association” Supreme Court Law Review (2020) 98 S.C.L.R. (2d) 399
“Opportunity and Temptation: A Reformed Christian Legal Perspective on Church Discipline in Canada” (co-author John Sikkema) Cardus Religious Freedom Institute (October, 2018)
“Lethal Discrimination: A Case Against Legalizing Assisted Suicide in Canada” Supreme Court Law Review (2016) 73 S.C.L.R. (2d) 143
“Whatcott and Hate Speech: Re-thinking Freedom of Expression in the Charter Age” (co-author Richard Haigh) National Journal of Constitutional Law Vol. 34, No. 1 (2015) 1
“The Need for Greater Protection of Religious Associational Rights in Employment” Canadian Diversity vol. 9:3 (Summer 2012) 44
Awards and Certifications
2009 International Law School Mediation Moot Competition First Place Trophy – Mediation
2009 International Law School Mediation Moot Competition Second Place Trophy – Advocacy
2008 Chief Justice Warren K. Winkler Cup for First Place Mediation Team
