Latest News

New Liberal Government set to delay physician assisted dying legislation

A senior Liberal adviser has told CBC that Justin Trudeau's new Liberal Government is considering asking the Supreme Court for an additional six months delay in bringing forward legislation to comply with the Court's unanimous decision in February to end the prohibition on physician assisted dying. This would mean that helping someone in suffering hasten their death would remain a criminal offence.

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BC Humanists take the #SciencePledge

We believe that all Canadians benefit when governments solicit, collect and use the evidence and expertise needed to make smart policy decisions that safeguard the health, safety and prosperity of Canadians. We support actions that invest in public-interest science; ensure open, honest and timely communication of scientific information; and make public the evidence considered in government decisions.

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Bishop pressures parents to overrule students' rights to HPV vaccine

A Bishop has told parents that Prince George Catholic Schools will not obey government rules that allow students to consent to getting the HPV vaccine. Rev Stephen Jensen also tells parents "abstinence is the only healthy choice."

The warnings came in a letter from the Bishop that was attached to HPV vaccine permission slips sent home with students.

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Williams Lake rejects anti-choice proclamation

Following pressure from the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada and local pro-choice activists, the city of Williams Lake, BC has rejected a request to proclaim "Celebrate Life Week." This victory comes after the city council had rubber-stamped the proclamation for several years. The council is now set to review their proclamation policy.

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Announcing the Humanist Action Campaign

Humanism is a philosophy of life based on reason, compassion, and hope.

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Our new Humanist Action campaign seeks to put those values into action by coordinating charitable fundraisers, community cleanups, and other good works, as suggested by our members.

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BC Humanist Association response to assisted dying consultations

Today, the BC Humanist Association has responded to two consultations on how physician-assisted dying will be legalized in Canada. We are calling on the federal, provincial, and territorial governments of Canada to take a leadership role and ensure that safeguards for physician-assisted deaths do not unjustly impede access. Read our news release and response below and please respond to the consultations.

People who are suffering must not have their freedom to choose a humane and compassionate death restricted by religions who see suffering as virtuous and life as a gift from God. Our lives are our own. We must make sure the voices of reason and compassion are heard.

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Recognizing lawyers from TWU legitimizes discrimination

This morning The Vancouver Sun published our letter regarding Trinity Western University's proposed law school. Our letter was in response to an opinion article by Barry W. Bussey, Director, Legal Affairs, at the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Read our letter below and make sure to share it.

While a private university, TWU has received several million dollars in government grants in recent years. We support the Law Society of BC's decision not to recognize TWU's law school and call on the provincial and federal governments to stop spending public money on a discriminatory organization. You can read the BCHA's position on the proposed TWU law school here.

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Physicians support referrals for assisted dying requests

Most Canadian doctors support requiring physicians to refer patients who with to hasten their death to a colleague, independent third party, or medical administrator, even while most doctors would personally refuse to assist a terminally ill patient's death, according to a survey by the Canadian Medical Association of its members.

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BC Supreme Court begins hearings on Christian law school

The BC Supreme Court begins hearing today into whether Trinity Western University, an evangelical private university, should be able to accredit lawyers. TWU requires all students to sign a community covenant which prohibits sex outside a heterosexual marriage, thereby excluding gay and lesbian students as well as non-Christians.

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Low HPV vaccination rates in Fraser Health region highlight danger of religious influence on BC schools

Several Christian schools have the lowest HPV vaccination rates among their Grade 9 students in the Fraser Health region, according to a report in the Vancouver Sun. The Sun obtained vaccination records for schools in the region which covers Burnaby to Hope. Just 61% of Grade 9 girls received the vaccine in 2013-2014. Six of the nine schools reporting Grade 9 HPV vaccination rates below 25% were Christian.

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