GUYSBOROUGH — A call by Conservative candidate Allan MacMaster to protect the charitable status of faith-based organizations has drawn swift responses from his opponents in Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish, and rekindled debate over a contentious parliamentary committee recommendation just in time for the April 28 federal election.
MacMaster’s statement, sent to The Journal on April 15, focuses on a controversial recommendation included in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance’s 2024 pre-budget report tabled in December. Among the 462 proposals tabled by the multi-party committee is a call to remove the “advancement of religion” as a recognized charitable purpose under the Income Tax Act.
“Most local churches are barely hanging on as it is,” MacMaster said in his statement last week. “They are full of community volunteers who help local food banks and other local causes. Why take away something that helps organizations who promote the value of charity with activities that make a real difference in our communities?”
He added that there are more than 100 faith-based organizations in Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish and urged constituents to reach out to him before the Easter weekend. “MacMaster is asking for people to go out and vote for him this Easter weekend in the advance polls to send a message that faith-based organizations should be allowed to keep their charitable status,” the statement read.
But, in a written response to MacMaster’s release, Liberal candidate Jaime Battiste told The Journal that the issue is being misrepresented. “Committees are bi-partisan bodies who represent their own opinions and have no jurisdiction over legislation. Committee recommendations are not binding on the government, nor do they reflect policy decisions. The Liberal Party is not actively developing policy on this issue.”
Battiste said the recommendation in question was one of hundreds received through the committee’s annual pre-budget consultation process, in which individuals and organizations are invited to share policy suggestions. He noted that the proposal originated with the B.C. Humanist Association, which submitted two recommendations: to remove charitable status from anti-abortion organizations and to amend the Income Tax Act to exclude “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose.
The committee includes MPs from all major federal parties: six Liberals, four Conservatives, one Bloc Québécois and one New Democrat.
People’s Party of Canada candidate Ryan Smyth expressed full support for MacMaster’s position. “Allan MacMaster is 100 per cent correct in supporting keeping churches and faith-based organizations classified as charitable organizations,” he said in an email to The Journal.
Smyth also called for expanded exemptions. “Personally, I would like to see charities, such as churches, fully exempt from all taxation, including HST/GST/PST at retail and for utilities such as water and electricity,” he said. “Charitable organizations … do a great amount of good in our communities. Their contributions to society far outweigh the value of any taxes collected from them.... Taxing them is an impediment for the good works they do. Rather than make it difficult for people to help others, we should encourage it. Eliminating all taxation on them would be a step in the right direction.”
Independent candidate Rebecca Wall acknowledged the contributions of local churches but said all charities should be evaluated equally. “Charitable status should be granted based on transparency, accountability and the impact that an organization has on the community, irrespective of its religious affiliation,” she said in an email to The Journal.
“It’s important to ensure that all charitable organizations, including faith-based ones, are held to high standards of governance and responsibility. This promotes trust and encourages community support across all sectors.”
She added: “As we head into the election period, I encourage open dialogue about how we can best support all community organizations – faith-based or otherwise – so they can continue to thrive and serve those in need.”
NDP candidate for Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish, Joanna Clark, did not respond to The Journal’s request for comment before press time.
All five candidates participated in a public forum at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on April 10, where they debated key local concerns including the rising cost of living, housing shortages, emergency room closures, climate policy and the potential benefits and risks of renewable energy developments.
The 2025 federal election will be held on April 28 to elect members of the House of Commons to the 45th Canadian Parliament.
