Chris Kempling - Further Disciplinary Action

Further Disciplinary Action

In 2005, while his case was before the Human Rights Tribunal, Kempling became the Christian Heritage Party of Canada candidate in the riding of Cariboo—Prince George. In that capacity, Kempling wrote another letter to the editor criticizing the recently proposed Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act, which allowed same-sex couples to marry. Quesnel School District suspended him for three months as a breach of its earlier direction.

On 28 January 2008, Kempling was cited again by the BCCT for "conduct unbecoming a teacher." The citation is based on events that occurred between February 2003 and April 2005, including the following allegations:

Mr. Kempling made derogatory statements against homosexuals or otherwise promoted discrimination against homosexuals as illustrated by one or more of the following:

1. Mr Kempling participated in a radio interview aired by the CBC on February 11, 2003:
   • in that interview, Mr. Kempling described homosexuality as “immoral” and a “barrier to salvation”;
   • that CBC program quoted writings previously made by Mr. Kempling against homosexuality; and,
   • Mr. Kempling provided to the interviewer written material that the College Decision determined to be discriminatory and derogatory towards homosexuals.
2. In November, 2003, Mr. Kempling published his essay entitled “the Great Divide: Ethical Divisions between Social Liberals and Social Conservatives Regarding Sexual Behaviour” on two websites, a BCTF Listserv and the BC Parents and Teachers for Life website.
3. Mr Kempling also provided his essay “The Great Divide…” to the Calgary Herald in which it was published on December 27, 2003.
4. In or about December, 2003, Mr. Kempling provided his article entitled “Sexual Orientation Curricula: Implications for Educators” for publication in the Bulletin of the German Institute for Youth and Society.
5. On January 5, 2004, the CBC Radio aired an interview with Mr. Kempling, conducted December 29, 2003, concerned an advertisement that he had previously published offering sexual “orientation change therapy.”
6. To the knowledge of Mr. Kempling, the Christian Heritage Party posted on its website an article dated February 2004, entitled “Chris Kempling: Our Canary in the Coal Mine”, describing homosexuality as immoral and abnormal, and calling for support for Mr. Kempling.
7. Mr. Kempling wrote a letter to the Quesnel newspaper published on January 12, 2005. In this letter, Mr. Kempling:
   • associated homosexuality with immorality;
   • stated that he was the local representative of the Christian Heritage Party.
8. Mr. Kempling wrote a letter to the Quesnel newspaper published February 2, 2005 linking homosexuality with pedophilia.
9. Mr. Kempling made a statement to a Quesnel newspaper reporter, published April 14, 2005 by the Prince George Free Press in support of his earlier statements against homosexuality.

In a published rebuttal, Kempling argued that participation in interviews was not illegal; that his statements were biblically-based, Charter-protected religious beliefs; that some citations referred to the actions of others; and that running for a political party is also Charter-protected right. In June 2008, Kempling announced that he was leaving the public school system to work for a private school, allowing him to relinquish his BCCT certification.