At the end of November, MLAs voted unanimously to begin every day's sitting of the BC Legislature with "prayers and reflections" rather than "prayers." The change followed the publication in September of the BC Humanist Association's landmark House of Prayers Report.

The Report examined the transcripts of 873 prayers said in the legislature between October 2003 and February 2019. It also included a thorough consideration of the various arguments against the practice and provided a series of recommendations for reform.

Dr Teale Phelps Bondaroff was the lead author on the report and will be visiting Vancouver from his home in Saanich to speak about the report, changes since the report and some of BCHA's ongoing work on these issues.

Dr Phelps Bondaroff, is an experienced researcher with a PhD in politics and international studies from the University of Cambridge and BAs in political science and international relations from the University of Calgary. He is currently serving as the Research Coordinator for the BCHA, and also conducts research on behalf of his strategy and research consultancy the Idea Tree Consulting, and in his capacity as Director of Research for OceansAsia. Dr. Phelps Bondaroff is also the Chair of the AccessBC Campaign for free prescription contraception, coaches high school debate, and studies the strategic use of international law by non-state actors.

Doors for the Review Room will open at 7 but feel free to arrive early to grab dinner at The Tipper. By purchasing food or a drink, you help reduce our costs for putting on the event.

We acknowledge that this event takes place on unceded Indigenous land belonging to the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Transit: The venue is a short (15 minute) walk from Nanaimo station on the Expo line or the #20 #19 and #25 buses can all get you almost to the front door.

Accessibility: Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.