BC municipalities declared "prayer free" on tenth anniversary of Saguenay decision
Today, the British Columbia Humanist Association (BCHA) is marking the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s historic MLQ v Saguenay decision with the release of its latest report, “Prayer Free BC.” This report declares British Columbia to be free of prayer in regular municipal council meetings. This landmark achievement follows years of dedicated research and advocacy by the BCHA through its Saguenay Project.
Read moreBC Humanists granted leave to intervene in MAiD at St Paul's case
The BC Humanist Association will be going to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to bring the perspectives of the non-religious and the importance of the duty of religious neutrality in a case that's challenging the refusal of St Paul's Hospital to provide medical assistance in dying (MAID) on site.
Read moreFinding DORI: Embracing the era of religious inefficiency
In a groundbreaking and utterly unprecedented move, the BC Humanist Association today unveils the highly anticipated report, "Finding DORI: A Department of Religious Inefficiency," outlining a visionary pathway toward a more comprehensive and systematically inefficient integration of religious principles into the very fabric of governance.
Read moreShifting beliefs, brighter futures in Canada
Over recent years, we've watch the evolving landscape of religious belief and affiliation in Canada with keen interest. New data from Pew Research Center's international religious switching report offers compelling insights into these changes. For Humanists, there's much to be optimistic about, particularly the significant increase in the number of religiously unaffiliated Canadians.
Read morePrivacy law does not infringe religious freedom: BC Court of Appeal
Humanists are welcoming today's unanimous BC Court of Appeal ruling that found BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) does not infringe the religious freedom rights of two congregations of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Read moreManitoba plans to scrap religion in Public Schools Act
A new bill before the Manitoba legislature would scrap antiquated provisions that permit religious instruction and exercises in public schools.
Read moreBudget 2025: Safeguard Canada from American Christian Nationalist influences
Today, the BC Humanist Association called on the Department of Finance to use Budget 2025 to protect human rights and uphold religious neutrality.
Read moreKelowna loses $5m to religious property tax exemptions
What could your community do with millions of extra dollars?
The Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association (KASHA) and Adcvocacy Canada are asking this very question, as they challenge the significant financial subsidy that religious institutions in the City of Kelowna receive through property tax exemptions.
Read moreLet's make April 15 "Religious Neutrality Day"
On April 15, 2015, the Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada released their decision in Mouvement laïque québécois vs the City of Saguenay. It ended a nearly nine-year battle between atheist Alain Simoneau and the City's Mayor over whether prayers could be said before a municipal council meeting.
The Justices were unanimous: The prayers violated the state's duty of religious neutrality, as guaranteed by the right to freedom of religion and conscience under the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Rights and Freedoms.
Read morePrayers end at Selwyn Township council meetings following constitutional challenge
The Township of Selwyn, Ontario, has agreed to drop prayers from future inaugural council meetings after a request by constitutional lawyer Donald Bur.
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