The following was the script for my remarks to Vancouver's No Tyrants rally on October 18, 2026. My actual speech varied slightly as I went off script at a few points.

Friends, thank you for being here today — for standing up for democracy, for equality, and for one another. Not just here in Vancouver but for our neighbours in America and for everyone across the world.

Today millions of us are declaring with one voice: No Tyrants. No Kings. We are saying that power belongs to the people.

Yesterday, politicians returned to the Legislative Assembly of BC. One of their first orders of business was a motion to condemn the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA).

In the summer, the BC legislature's finance committee published its report on the Budget 2026 consultations. As an organization dedicated to promoting progressive and secular values, we participated in these consultations to ensure the voices of the 52% of British Columbians who are humanist or non-religious were heard. Our advocacy is resonating as our priorities were reflected in the Committee’s discussions.

"Canada is a secular democracy."

In their joint factum to the Supreme Court of Canada, the BC Humanist Association (BCHA) and Canadian Secular Alliance (CSA) argue that the state's duty of religious neutrality is an integral part of the Canada's Charter.

An alliance of groups that support reproductive rights is raising the alarm over a recent partnership between Fraser Health and an anti-abortion organization called Hope for Women. Over the summer, Fraser Health supported four community groups to lead Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Cafés for new parents, with Hope for Women delivering the cafés in Abbotsford during August.

Vancouver, BC – A new report from the BC Humanist Association (BCHA), The Island Anomaly, reveals Prince Edward Island (PEI) as the most compliant province studied to date in adhering to the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2015 Saguenay ruling. The comprehensive study found only one instance of unconstitutional prayer in PEI municipalities with populations over 1,000, which occurred during a 2022 inaugural council meeting in Summerside.

In its submissions today to the federal finance committee and department, the BC Humanist Association has asked MPs on the committee to reaffirm their recommendation that the government use the next federal budget to remove the privileged status of religion as a charitable purpose.

On Tuesday afternoon, I joined a couple dozen other secularists outside Kelowna City Hall to call on the City to revisit its religious property tax exemption handouts.

The BC Humanist Association and Canadian Secular Alliance are headed back to the Supreme Court of Canada to argue for the importance of an inclusive interpretation of the state's duty of religious neutrality.

On Monday, BC Humanist Association Executive Director Ian Bushfield appeared before the Legislative Assembly's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of its consultations for Budget 2026.