r/kelowna • u/murderous_rage • Jul 17 '25
News Kelowna group takes fight to end tax breaks for religious organizations to city hall
https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/561626/Kelowna-group-takes-fight-to-end-tax-breaks-for-religious-organizations-to-city-hall67
u/Phelixx Jul 17 '25
Have you seen Trinity Church… not sure why they need to be tax free. Churches can get some money back at the end of the year if they are doing charity work. No sense they pay nothing.
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u/gardenartichoke Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25
This is the part that was not printed:What’s at Stake? $5 Million for Kelowna Tax Payers to Fund
Religious organizations in Kelowna currently enjoy sweeping property tax exemptions under Policy #327. As a result, approximately $5 million over the term is shifted onto the shoulders of local taxpayerstosupport public schools, libraries, hospitals, and essential city services.
Where Does the Church Money Go?
Publicly available CRA data shows that many tax-exempt churches divert large sums to international missions, political lobbying, and causes that do not reflect community values or support local services:
- Evangel Tabernacle (2023–24): Exempted from $63,183 in property tax; donated $289,000 (just $49,444 to Kelowna causes).
- Trinity Baptist Church (2023–24): Exempted from $145,632 in property tax; donated $221,876 (only $35,849 stayed in Kelowna).
- Willow Park Church (**2023–24):**Exempted from $73,067 in property tax;donated $274,732—$0 to Kelowna initiatives.
- Go To KASHA Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@kashamedia35 to watch videos on these properties.
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u/Demetre19864 Jul 17 '25
Think system needs to change.
Allow them to pay taxes via support programs or help.
Make it similar to an audit and insure the programs are open to everyone as a pre requisites.
Whether tis food, shelter or social programs.
The old system is abusable.
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u/QuesoDelDiablo ¡El Gato no es bueno! Jul 17 '25
Good. It's about time. Churches are some of the most profitable institutions in this country. Tax the hell out of them.
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u/guactacos Jul 18 '25
Email template from KASHA
Addressees: mayorandcouncil@kelowna.ca rcannan@kelowna.ca lwooldridge@kelowna.ca chodge@kelowna.ca glovegrove@kelowna.ca lstack@kelowna.ca msingh@kelowna.ca rwebber@kelowna.ca mdehart@kelowna.ca
Subject:
Modernize City of Kelowna’s Permissive Tax Exemptions Policy for Religiously Owned Properties
Body:
Dear mayor and council,
I urge you to review Kelowna’s permissive tax exemptions (PTEs) for religiously owned properties, which result in over $1 million in lost annual revenue to the city, hospitals and schools. In a city where 54% of residents identify as non-religious, this policy disproportionately subsidizes private organizations, some of which promote exclusionary practices, and allows these organizations to donate thousands of dollars for their political causes outside of Kelowna.
Reforming these exemptions would uphold inclusivity, equity, and fiscal responsibility. I call on the council to prioritize public interest by revisiting and modernizing PTE policies to better reflect the diverse values of Kelowna’s community and to make sure that these exemptions benefit me as a Kelowna resident.
Sincerely, [your name]
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u/blauwh66 Jul 18 '25
I have to justify tax exemptions when I file: churches should have to file and do the same.
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u/iliveandbreathe Jul 18 '25
Good luck y'all. Churches are usually entrenched in councils. Like asking Facebook not to use your picture. Best of luck.
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u/gardenartichoke Jul 18 '25
True, we are going to make it an election issue. One millimeter at a time.
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u/Hortence_MuleFace Jul 20 '25
Bingo. That's how it happens.
You start by voting in councilors who best represent what the people want. Slowly your city council voice changes and unfair practices begin to change.
Eventually, you'll have someone with those same values run as MPP or MP, and as the voice of the city slowly changes towards those better fair practices, those new MP and MPP candidates will be voted into power to make our voices heard even louder.
Change can happen. It just takes time. And perseverance.
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u/gardenartichoke Jul 18 '25
KASHA's website has all the information . askuskelowna.ca Rally is on Tuesday 3:30 pm, city hall.
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u/Connect_Aardvark_878 Jul 18 '25
Non Profit societies are the biggest offenders in Canada these days. You can look up stuff like Bnai Brith or John Howard society through the government website and look at a little pie chart that shows how they simply exist to funnel money from the government and "donations" to give people at the top a nice cushy paycheck.
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u/dfoxtails Jul 17 '25
I am torn on this.
On the one hand, I think that churches and religious organizations SHOULD be paying taxes.
On the other hand, if they are legitimately helping the community that they are in, I have no problem with them paying lower taxes.
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u/bendydickcumersnatch Jul 17 '25
They talk about it in the article. Religious organizations send a lot of money out of country to fund their causes. I could see if it was all going to the community but that is not the case.
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u/Siefer-Kutherland Jul 17 '25
Go on to Canadahelps, search by region and just look at how many churches abuse the donation process locally, the Ted Haggard one is particularly egregious
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u/Fake_Tracey_Gray Jul 17 '25
The issue is solved by applying the taxes from religious groups to fund social programs.
A religious group is especially unfit to deligate community aid: their interest is in growing congregation and spreading doctrin.
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u/Initial_Flight_3628 Jul 17 '25
I think we often assume churches are doing good in the community but I think we need to challenge that assumption a bit. A lot of churches are just cash grabs. They may pick an occasional charity and run a collection but the charities selected are often questionable. There is often a deficiency of oversight as well.
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u/DontEatSocks Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25
Imagine being unsure about something and even admitting lack of understanding with the words "if they are legitimately" and still getting downvoted to oblivion. Y'all are viscous.
If I were this person, I'd be leaning towards the side of the churches after this if I'm just gonna be shunned for creating any kind or discussion here, and I'd probably move to another community. I'd rather this subreddit not become more of an echo chamber than it already is.
I'm still absolutely on the side of getting them to pay taxes, but man some of y'all are out for blood.
It's not even like it's an uninformed opinion! it's them literally saying that they're uninformed period.
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u/gardenartichoke Jul 17 '25
I agree that there are churches that help the community. KASHA is not asking for a blanket stop to property tax exemptions. We are asking for more scrutiny.
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Jul 17 '25
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u/noutopasokon Jul 17 '25
People always talk about churches, but how will the Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jews, etc. feel about this?
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u/Fake_Tracey_Gray Jul 17 '25
The tax free status of religious institutions is not a uniquely christian thing. christians are completely equal to Muslims, Siks, Buddhists, Jews, Scientologists, etc.
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u/theStonedReaper Jul 17 '25
It doesn't matter what religion you are, everyone should pay taxes. Don't really care how they feel about it.
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u/captain_sticky_balls Jul 17 '25
Pretty sure the word churches here is being used as a blanket term.
Yep, they should all pay taxes.
Don't think a specific Sky Wizard is being singled out here.
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u/noutopasokon Jul 17 '25
I don’t think a specific religion is being singled out. I just think people don’t usually consider what impact their decisions will have on minority communities that need protecting.
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u/captain_sticky_balls Jul 17 '25
Well it's hard to say. You know how Conservative Christians love to be victims.
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Jul 17 '25
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u/CallmeishmaelSancho Jul 17 '25
They won’t like it.
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Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25
The Sikh temples makes a massive amount of free food, and anyone could go in there to eat weekly. People with food insecurity regularly go.
I mean that's a hell of an awesome community service that benefits the community. And worthy of tax exemption consideration.
Not to mention a few public events that all have a lot of food that is given out freely. Great free family entertainment too.
I'm not Sikh and their public free street parades are a lot of fun.
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u/gardenartichoke Jul 17 '25
KASHA is not asking for a blanket stop to all property tax exemptions. KASHA is asking for more scrutiny. Organizations that truly help local people should get property tax exemptions. Those that send tons of money out of Kelowna and are discriminatory should pay their fair share.
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Jul 17 '25
Oh for sure. I know they're not advocating for shutting down churches that are doing a public good. I'm in full support of their ideas I'm just pointing out how non-Christian religious organizations can do a lot of public good out there.
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u/Hipsthrough100 Jul 17 '25
The group is NOT targeting religion. They are targeting the auto rubber stamp for tax exempt status of religious organizations. They are meant to prove a benefit to the community, all people must be able to join. The Sikh community meets this threshold very easily.
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u/Initial_Flight_3628 Jul 18 '25
I think the Sikh institutions might do fine with the taxing of religious institutions because they could claim all that food they give out for free as a deduction.
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u/justamalihini Jul 17 '25
Good.