Those Ottawans who are struggling to deal with the chronic increases in property taxes might be surprised to learn that there are wealthy multi-national corporations which own valuable property all around the city but don’t pitch in to the municipal pot. Ontario’s Assessment Act provides a property tax exemption to houses of worship.
Property taxes are used to maintain municipal services and infrastructure, so one would expect all parties who benefit from such things as having snow removed from city streets, or being able to flush their toilets, to contribute their fair share to footing the bill – if one party doesn’t, everyone else’s burden increases. That’s simple economics.
As a result, an exemption is equivalent to a subsidy paid for by every taxpayer. In the Dark Ages it was common for people to be required to pay a percentage of their income to the church. This was called tithing. However, in a post-enlightenment society, there is no excuse for government regulation which forces people to tithe. Only 10 per cent of Canadians attend worship on a weekly basis. Many others object to the teachings and practices of religious organizations on moral grounds.
Many argue that the exemption is justified because of the value society gets from these institutions. Whether the aggregate impact of organized religions on society is positive or negative is beyond the scope of this column; however, one could hardly argue that religions act in a more selfless and charitable manner than those charitable organizations, which, although eligible for a percentage refund at the end of the year, do pay property tax.
Nor can one justify the exemption on the basis of good work in the community.
If you were to run a soup kitchen out of your living room, you would still have to pay property tax. The only thing that houses of worship have left in this equation after the good works are cancelled out, is religiosity; therefore, one must assume the tax exemption is granted purely based on devotion to a higher power.
This is in no way an attack on religions, or on their right to minister to their congregations. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but freedom of religion should not mean a free ride for religions.
Believers can subsidize their chosen religion to their heart’s content in the form of private donations, but why should secular Ottawans be forced to support the propagation of ideals they don’t share?
Rising property tax levels in Ottawa have been a contentious issue for years. Larry O’Brien was ushered into office in 2006 on his promise to freeze taxes and was ushered out again four years later when he failed to deliver on his promise. During the last election, there was much talk about residents, particularly seniors and others on fixed incomes, losing their homes because they were unable to shoulder the rising tax burden.
It’s time to make everyone pay their fair share and stop allowing organized religions to be leeches on society.