The right to be religious is a personal freedom we enjoy in Canada. However, Canadian taxpayers, as citizens of all faiths and citizens of no faith, should not be subsidizing the advancement of religion through tax exemptions. The right to be religious in Canada is important (freedom of religion). The need to retain Canada’s strength as a secular nation based on personal freedom, social responsibility, and the rule of law is equally important (freedom from religion).
Read our reports on the Cost of Religion in Canada:
- An Introductory Report Exploring Advancement of Religion as a Charitable Purpose
- Religious Charities Issuing Tax Receipts
- Government Transfers
- Tax Implications of Charities Advancing Religion
- More than Just Money: The Concluding Report in a 5-Part Series
Excellent work. Hope you can get this translated to French.
The most incomprehensible part of this whole scam is the complete lack of transparency. I can imagine the response of the CRA if I were to withhold my tax owing by claiming I am doing good works of some sort, but declining to actually outline any of the things I was doing.
Great piece of research.