A self described atheist is hoping an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal will strike down the District School Board of Niagara policy on religious materials.

The tribunal kicked off yesteday in St. Catharines.

Rene Chouinard who lives in Grimsby wants the hearing to strike down the policy that allows distribution of religious material under strict conditions.

Chouinard began his challenge after refusing to sign a consent from in 2009 that would have allowed his daughter to receive a Gideon bible at her school.