The BC Humanist Association is calling on the government to use BC Budget 2027 to end religious property tax exemptions, phase out private school funding and reinvest in climate solutions.
The BC Legislature's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is currently accepting written submissions in advance of the 2027 provincial budget.
The BCHA's submissions reflect its longstanding calls for the government to end various privileges afforded to religious groups in the province. Additionally, based on feedback from its members, the BCHA is calling on the government to reinvest in climate solutions.
"Across Canada, governments are shamefully retreating from their past commitment to addressing the existential threat of climate change," said Ian Bushfield, Executive Director. "Our recommendation reflects a Humanist commitment to evidence-based policies and environmental justice."
All British Columbians are encouraged to share their ideas for the budget, which will be released in spring 2027.
Add your voice before June 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM PT
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Introduction
The BCHA represents the growing majority of British Columbians who identify as non-religious or hold secular values. As the Province seeks to “keep costs low for people and their families” while ensuring public resources are directed toward core services, Budget 2027 presents an opportunity to modernize public spending, improve fiscal fairness, and strengthen government neutrality in matters of religion.
Recommendation 1: End statutory property tax exemptions for places of public worship
Budget 2027 aims to make disciplined spending decisions and ensure public resources are directed toward essential services. Statutory property tax exemptions that automatically apply to all places of worship limit municipal fiscal flexibility and shift costs onto homeowners and local businesses.
We estimate that statutory exemptions for places of public worship resulted in approximately $56 million in foregone revenue in 2026 [calculated by updating 2019 estimates based on inflation]. While some religious organizations provide valuable services to their communities, there is no compelling policy rationale for requiring municipalities to subsidize all these organizations without considering local circumstances.
Eliminating statutory exemptions would not prevent municipalities from supporting religious organizations that provide demonstrable public benefit, as municipal governments may grant permissive exemptions on a case-by-case basis. Instead, local governments would be empowered to assess exemption requests from religious organizations on the same basis as those submitted by secular charities and other community organizations, ensuring a more equitable and consistent approach.
Ending statutory tax exemption for places of public worship aligns with Budget 2027's objective of reviewing government expenditures and ensuring public resources are allocated efficiently and equitably. As this is a revenue-neutral measure that redistributes existing tax burdens away from homeowners and local businesses, it would create a more equitable funding model in BC that includes a broader range of property owners.
By enabling municipalities to determine whether and under what conditions exemptions should be granted, the province can support local decision-making while increasing municipal revenue capacity to address housing, infrastructure, and the priorities that matter to British Columbians.
In 2027, municipalities should have the autonomy to grant tax exemptions only to those organizations that benefit to their local community.
Recommendation 2: Phase out public funding for faith-based and elite independent schools
Budget 2026 identified education as a core public service, committing substantial new investments to support students, teachers, and classroom resources. Despite these changes, the education sector still suffers from decades of austerity and budget cuts. To safeguard the long-term social and economic prosperity of British Columbia, we recommend that public funding of faith-based and elite schools be redirected toward the public system that serves all British Columbians.
According to the provincial estimates, independent schools will receive more than $600 million in public funding for 2026-27, predominantly going to faith-based and elite schools. According to a 2023 study, public funding of these schools can result in a self-reinforcing feedback loop that drives greater demand. The province should not fall into this trap, lest private schools continue to siphon students and funding from the universal, public system. Families who can afford private school tuition are generally able to supplement their children's educational opportunities. Whereas public schools, which have a mandate to accommodate all students regardless of family income, face growing pressure to provide special services, mental health supports, and other essential resources. Based on these disparities, redirecting funding to the public education system will have the greatest impact on student outcomes and educational equity.
A multi-year phase-out for elite and faith-based independent school funding better supports the students who need it most without shocking the system. Budget 2027 seeks to maximize the value of every public dollar. If this is truly the government's goal, redirecting education funding toward the inclusive public system is worth every cent.
Recommendation 3: Centre climate initiatives that deliver measurable emissions reductions, community resilience, and long-term cost savings
BCHA members, like the general public, remain deeply concerned about the threats of climate change and want our governments to take meaningful and evidence-based action. Substantial climate action advances Budget 2027’s goals of growing the economy, protecting core services, and making disciplined spending decisions.
British Columbia is already experiencing the financial consequences of climate change through wildfires, floods, droughts, heat emergencies, and damage to transportation and community infrastructure. Strategic investments in climate resilience can reduce future liabilities while protecting communities and maintaining economic stability. Investments in emissions reduction and climate adaptation help avoid significantly higher future costs associated with extreme weather, infrastructure damage, public health impacts, and economic disruption.
The province should reinvigorate CleanBC, which made us a global leader in addressing carbon emissions. This means prioritizing programs with demonstrated effectiveness, including energy-efficiency retrofits for public buildings, expansion of public and active transportation networks, wildfire risk reduction measures, climate-resilient infrastructure, and support for the transition to low-carbon industries.
Climate positive investments should always be guided by principles of reconciliation, equity and inclusion, ensuring that rural, Indigenous and low-income communities are not disproportionately burdened by either climate impacts or the costs of green transitions. By centring evidence-based climate initiatives within Budget 2027, the province can protect public finances, strengthen economic competitiveness, and ensure that British Columbia remains resilient in the face of increasingly severe climate-related challenges.