The BC Humanist Association has written in opposition to a forthcoming City of Vancouver Council Members' motion, arguing it runs contrary to the spirit of the City's constitutional duty of religious neutrality.
The motion, spearheaded by Councillor Rebecca Bligh, calls for the City to organize a dialogue with "faith-based groups, BC Housing, the Provincial and Federal governments, and other stakeholders" to discuss redeveloping land held by religious groups into affordable housing. It further asks staff to identify "resources and staff support available to faith-based groups...as well as potential policy and/or regulatory changes that would support the deployment of these properties to deliver affordable housing."
In his letter, BCHA Executive Director Ian Bushfield describes the motion as "well-intentioned" but is concerned that it privileges religious groups ahead of other secular non-profit organizations who might also be looking to redevelop their properties.
"Narrowing in on places of worship when many of those property owners are among the wealthiest organizations in the world is a poor use of the City's limited resources," said Bushfield. "By all means support non-profits in developing affordable housing but the City ought to do so without discriminating based on belief."
The BCHA instead recommends that the City ask the province to end the automatic property tax exemption for places of worship, creating a financial incentive for such groups to redevelop underutilized properties.
The City recently admitted to breaching the duty of religious neutrality by hosting prayers at its 2022 inaugural council ceremony.
Update Oct 24, 2024: Last night, council adopted the motion with Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung abstaining and Councillor Christine Boyle absent (Boyle was recently elected MLA for Vancouver-Little Mountain).
