The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed on Thursday the appeal of a former P.E.I. teacher for costs associated with a lawsuit concerning a violation of his right to freedom of expression.

The case dates back to 1988, when Rick Morin showed his class the documentary Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, which raised questions about the influence of religion on American politics. He was placed on mandatory leave of absence and not rehired the following year.

Morin won his case in 2005. He was awarded $75,000 in damages and $175,835 in costs. Following various appeals, costs were set at the lower amount of $91,344, which Morin said did not come close to covering what he had paid.

But with the Supreme Court's dismissal of the case, that amount has been finalized.