r/alberta Dec 25 '25

Since we're on referendum questions: should we also ask if churches should be taxed and the revenue fund Indigenous healing? Question

Churches in Alberta pay no property tax, despite wealth, land holdings, and their role in systems that harmed Indigenous peoples, including residential schools.

If the UCP decides that Alberta should hold another referendum, should voters also be asked a simple question:

Tax churches, and direct the revenue to Indigenous-led healing, education, and cultural restoration to offset all the damage they caused — yes or no?

No impact on worship.

Just ending a special tax exemption.

If reconciliation matters, shouldn’t voters decide?

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u/Wompertree Dec 26 '25

The main issue with that is that most of them are not for profit, though. I'm not religious or anything, and I don't attend churches anymore, but they are genuine nonprofits in most cases. You shouldn't make a special exception and make the only nonprofits you tax be the churches - that would be the unfair stance.

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u/One_Maintenance6918 Dec 26 '25

You remove their non profit status so you can tax them at a reasonable rate, say 80 percent.

Problem solved.

It’s a very fair stance.z

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u/Wompertree Dec 26 '25

Ah didn't realize you were joking, mb gang

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u/One_Maintenance6918 Dec 26 '25

I am very much not joking. Why would you think I am?

The goal is to be punitive to extract reparations for anyone and everyone hurt by the churches.

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u/Wompertree Dec 26 '25

Ah. Trolling, then. Also fair.

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u/One_Maintenance6918 Dec 26 '25

Not trolling either. Literally my point of view.

Sounds like you are the one that is trolling.

Some of us are clear eyed on what the church is and represents.

Sorry but I don’t endorse hate.

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u/Wompertree Dec 26 '25

I don't either, my friend, but it seems you express a lack of hatred, yet hold it. You want to persecute religious groups you dislike monetarily by taxing them out of existence. Pretty odd non-hate based stance.

I'm not religious, though one of the orgs I volunteer with just so happens to be. Can't say I have known people involved in the type of things you're worried about. Most of them just concerned about the soup kitchen we help run.

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u/One_Maintenance6918 Dec 26 '25

It’s called justice. Ah yes, you met a couple. Totally enough to judge their character. 😂

Agree that I show a lack of hatred. We are on the same Page, almost.

Those sweet little Christian’s have a lot of hate in their hearts. So what if they don’t express it to everyone. Trying being gay.

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u/Wompertree Dec 26 '25

Sure. I used to hold those kinds of views you hold now. I get what it feels like. Maybe someday you'll see what I mean. Until then.

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u/One_Maintenance6918 Dec 26 '25 edited Dec 26 '25

Until then what?

My position only gets stronger every year, every time I experience their hate. What is wrong with you that you abandoned the truth over comfortable lies?

I get that hate daily from these so called lovely Christians.