BC Humanist Association
@bchumanist.ca
Reason, compassion and home. https://www.bchumanist.ca
British Columbians “should be able to expect that public funds don’t go to promote any one religion over others.” Yet one Catholic hospital is being put ahead of patients' right to healthcare. martlet.ca/b-c-supreme-...
B.C. supreme court hears challenge to faith-based hospitals
A four-week case began on Jan. 19 in the B.C. Supreme Court, challenging the right of publicly-funded hospitals to practice faith-based care.
martlet.ca
February 2, 2026 at 11:14 PM
British Columbians “should be able to expect that public funds don’t go to promote any one religion over others.” Yet one Catholic hospital is being put ahead of patients' right to healthcare. martlet.ca/b-c-supreme-...
In the latest testimony heard by the BC Supreme Court, the judge heard from a woman who's mother suffered earlier this month under the so-called compromise between the BC government with St Paul's hospital. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It's time to end the religious-opt out for MAID.
It's time to end the religious-opt out for MAID.
B.C. government struck compromise with assisted dying policy, court hears | CBC News
The B.C. government's policy on medical assistance in dying involved striking a compromise between faith-based health-care providers who didn't want to allow the procedure in their buildings and complying...
www.cbc.ca
January 28, 2026 at 11:14 PM
In the latest testimony heard by the BC Supreme Court, the judge heard from a woman who's mother suffered earlier this month under the so-called compromise between the BC government with St Paul's hospital. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It's time to end the religious-opt out for MAID.
It's time to end the religious-opt out for MAID.
Here's to the anniversary of the Morgentaler decision, which decriminalized abortion in Canada in 1988. Dr Morgentaler's fight was motivated by his humanist values.
On Jan. 28, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the abortion provision of the Criminal Code was unconstitutional and violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The R v Morgentaler case was a landmark ruling in Canada.
This is the story.
🧵 1/12
The R v Morgentaler case was a landmark ruling in Canada.
This is the story.
🧵 1/12
January 28, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Here's to the anniversary of the Morgentaler decision, which decriminalized abortion in Canada in 1988. Dr Morgentaler's fight was motivated by his humanist values.
A filibuster by religious fundamentalists in the House of Lords looks set to kill the very modest assisted dying bill before the UK Parliament. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If the assisted dying bill is killed off by the Lords, let that be the end for this unelected chamber | Polly Toynbee
With filibustering slowing the pace to a crawl, there is no chance the legislation will get through – unless the government shows some backbone, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:14 PM
A filibuster by religious fundamentalists in the House of Lords looks set to kill the very modest assisted dying bill before the UK Parliament. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"This is the worst day of your life [is] made so much worse by this policy that inflicts unnecessary pain, unnecessary distress on the patient, their family members, the whole health-care team that's trying to care for the patient."
Families want Canadian provinces to end MAID opt-out policy for faith-based hospitals | CBC News
As families fight to avoid forced patient transfers from faith-based hospitals that refuse to perform medical assistance in dying (MAID), an advocacy group says there are more than 100 forced transfers...
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:22 PM
"This is the worst day of your life [is] made so much worse by this policy that inflicts unnecessary pain, unnecessary distress on the patient, their family members, the whole health-care team that's trying to care for the patient."
BC allows St Paul's to deny patients access to MAID. “The [transfer] process that we went through was very traumatic and upsetting,” one family told the court. vancouversun.com/news/transfe...
Transfer from St. Paul's Hospital for assisted dying caused patient distress, trial told
B.C. Supreme Court is hearing a Charter challenge by parents of woman with terminal cancer transferred from St. Paul's Hospital to receive medical assistance in dying
vancouversun.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:22 PM
BC allows St Paul's to deny patients access to MAID. “The [transfer] process that we went through was very traumatic and upsetting,” one family told the court. vancouversun.com/news/transfe...
We're disappointed to hear BC will not renew its decriminalization pilot project. Even worse, the province provides no evidence for claims that the pilot "has not delivered the results we hoped for."
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Minister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot program
Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on the status of the decriminalization pilot program:
news.gov.bc.ca
January 14, 2026 at 11:14 PM
We're disappointed to hear BC will not renew its decriminalization pilot project. Even worse, the province provides no evidence for claims that the pilot "has not delivered the results we hoped for."
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
"St. Paul’s is a Catholic-run, publicly funded hospital, which does not allow MAID. The BC government grants faith-based institutions an exemption under its MAID policy. Sam O’Neill’s family said that exemption robbed her of control in her final hours."
Family fights for change after daughter forced to leave hospital for MAID
A challenge to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that began Monday in the B.C. Supreme Court is raising questions about whether publicly funded, faith-based hospitals should be allowed to ban…
www.ctvnews.ca
January 13, 2026 at 6:22 PM
"St. Paul’s is a Catholic-run, publicly funded hospital, which does not allow MAID. The BC government grants faith-based institutions an exemption under its MAID policy. Sam O’Neill’s family said that exemption robbed her of control in her final hours."
To be clear, the question is should the religious beliefs of the small number of board members dictate what procedures a doctor can provide their patients?
And why does our secular government permit this?
And why does our secular government permit this?
Also on The Early Edition this morning- we're going to talk about the BC Supreme Court case involving St. Paul's hospital moving a patient who required MAID. Should religious beliefs guide what a publicly-funded hospital will do? Should it have crucifixes and statues of the Virgin Mary on display?
January 13, 2026 at 3:26 PM
To be clear, the question is should the religious beliefs of the small number of board members dictate what procedures a doctor can provide their patients?
And why does our secular government permit this?
And why does our secular government permit this?
Reposted by BC Humanist Association
"British Columbians should be able to expect the same standard of treatment from every publicly-funded hospital in this province," said Ian Bushfield, Executive Director, BC Humanist Association. "The religious views of a few board members shouldn't dictate your healthcare options."
We're in court today (and for the next few weeks) in a case that could determine the future of religious hospitals in BC. www.bchumanist.ca/religious_ho...
Religious hospital obstructions trial begins
The case could determine the future of faith-based hospitals in BC.
www.bchumanist.ca
January 12, 2026 at 11:19 PM
"British Columbians should be able to expect the same standard of treatment from every publicly-funded hospital in this province," said Ian Bushfield, Executive Director, BC Humanist Association. "The religious views of a few board members shouldn't dictate your healthcare options."
We're in court today (and for the next few weeks) in a case that could determine the future of religious hospitals in BC. www.bchumanist.ca/religious_ho...
Religious hospital obstructions trial begins
The case could determine the future of faith-based hospitals in BC.
www.bchumanist.ca
January 12, 2026 at 11:14 PM
We're in court today (and for the next few weeks) in a case that could determine the future of religious hospitals in BC. www.bchumanist.ca/religious_ho...
By codifying abortion in the law, "The CAQ government is effectively giving anti-choicers exactly what they’ve been asking for all these years."
The unintended consequences of Quebec's planned abortion bill
Should Quebec’s Bill 1 pass as it is currently worded, anti-abortion groups will finally have the leverage they have been looking for to try and restrict abortion access by going directly after the…
www.nationalobserver.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:22 PM
By codifying abortion in the law, "The CAQ government is effectively giving anti-choicers exactly what they’ve been asking for all these years."
We're going to court on Monday to challenge the public funding of religious healthcare facilities that deny access to MAID and reproductive healthcare. Sign the petition to tell the province to support our intervention. www.bchumanist.ca/public_funds...
End Religious Exceptions in BC Healthcare
Sign the petition to demand secular healthcare in BC
www.bchumanist.ca
January 8, 2026 at 11:14 PM
We're going to court on Monday to challenge the public funding of religious healthcare facilities that deny access to MAID and reproductive healthcare. Sign the petition to tell the province to support our intervention. www.bchumanist.ca/public_funds...
Here's hoping 2026 brings more equitable and compassionate access to MAID.
Advocates push for advance MAID requests two years post Parliament recommendation
Sandra Demontigny knew something wasn’t right when she couldn’t remember buying herself a new pair of boots. They were a splurge — a little out of character for the mother of three — and she had been…
www.ctvnews.ca
December 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Here's hoping 2026 brings more equitable and compassionate access to MAID.
"British Columbia has the largest proportion of atheist, agnostic or non-religious residents across Canada (47%)"
Importance of Religion Stagnant in Canada, Rising in the U.S.
British Columbia stands out as the Canadian province with the largest proportion of agnostic, atheist or irreligious residents.
researchco.ca
December 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"British Columbia has the largest proportion of atheist, agnostic or non-religious residents across Canada (47%)"
Some humanist families celebrate a secular Christmas but others don't. There are good ideas here for schools to be inclusive of everyone's winter traditions.
School breaks privilege Christmas, and classroom strategies are needed to foster inclusion
There are opportunities to build classroom activities that genuinely reflect and embrace every learner in our vibrant pluralistic communities.
theconversation.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Some humanist families celebrate a secular Christmas but others don't. There are good ideas here for schools to be inclusive of everyone's winter traditions.
Alberta parents recently received a sermon from the Minister of Education disguised as a holiday letter. We're pushing back and asking Albertans to tell the Minister to respect the duty of religious neutrality. www.bchumanist.ca/ab_education...
December 18, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Alberta parents recently received a sermon from the Minister of Education disguised as a holiday letter. We're pushing back and asking Albertans to tell the Minister to respect the duty of religious neutrality. www.bchumanist.ca/ab_education...
Reposted by BC Humanist Association
At our October 18 No Tyrants rally, @bushfield.ca of @bchumanist.ca said, “We can’t look south and be smug and complacent. These same forces are at work right here in Canada.”
This is what he was talking about.
This is what he was talking about.
provincialtimes.ca/questions-mo...
Jamil Jivani is doing a TPUSA-style tour through Canadian universities as a sitting MP, and doesn't disclose where any of the funding comes from.
Jamil Jivani is doing a TPUSA-style tour through Canadian universities as a sitting MP, and doesn't disclose where any of the funding comes from.
Questions Mount Over Jamil Jivani's Nationwide “Restore the North” Tour
Extensive travel, production quality, and political messaging raise concerns about undisclosed funding sources behind cross-Canada campaign.
provincialtimes.ca
December 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
At our October 18 No Tyrants rally, @bushfield.ca of @bchumanist.ca said, “We can’t look south and be smug and complacent. These same forces are at work right here in Canada.”
This is what he was talking about.
This is what he was talking about.
This has been an incredible year for the BCHA. Help fuel our growth into 2026. www.bchumanist.ca/secular_prog...
Secular progress against the storm
A look back at the BCHA in 2025
www.bchumanist.ca
December 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This has been an incredible year for the BCHA. Help fuel our growth into 2026. www.bchumanist.ca/secular_prog...
One of the key cases we've been involved in revolves around the privacy rights of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses. This recent Australian case underlines how important our work is. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/australian...
Australian court awards abuse survivor $1.5 million—and exposes Jehovah's Witnesses' cover-up
The damning ruling highlights how JW Elders protected one of their own and silenced his victim for decades
www.friendlyatheist.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:14 PM
One of the key cases we've been involved in revolves around the privacy rights of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses. This recent Australian case underlines how important our work is. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/australian...
Our Kwantlen University Chaplain, Dr Marty Shoemaker, recently spoke about humanist winter traditions. runnermag.ca/2025/12/a-ti...
A time to celebrate light: How different faiths are marking the holiday season – The Runner
The Runner
runnermag.ca
December 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Our Kwantlen University Chaplain, Dr Marty Shoemaker, recently spoke about humanist winter traditions. runnermag.ca/2025/12/a-ti...
Still celebrating this historic change for Okanagan commuters. globalnews.ca/news/1157279...
Anti-abortion billboards in West Kelowna, B.C. to be taken down | Globalnews.ca
'(The lawyers) said that if BC Billboards is publishing pro-life billboards and not mine, then it’s considered sex-based discrimination,' Harms explained.
globalnews.ca
December 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Still celebrating this historic change for Okanagan commuters. globalnews.ca/news/1157279...
Removing the religious exemptions to Canada's anti-hate laws is a big win for secularism. Hate is hate and no one should get a special pass on promoting such vile bigotry. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Liberals back Bloc's proposal to remove religious exemption from hate speech laws | CBC News
Liberal MPs on the House justice committee backed a Bloc Québécois proposal to remove a religious exemption from Canada’s hate speech laws — after the suggestion initially appeared to halt the government's...
www.cbc.ca
December 13, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Removing the religious exemptions to Canada's anti-hate laws is a big win for secularism. Hate is hate and no one should get a special pass on promoting such vile bigotry. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
We know from our own polling that BCers don't want public funds going to private schools. New polling shows Albertans feel the same. calgary.citynews.ca/2025/12/11/a...
Many Albertans want end to private school funding, survey says
New data out Thursday suggests many Albertans don't want public funding going toward private schools in the province.
calgary.citynews.ca
December 12, 2025 at 11:14 PM
We know from our own polling that BCers don't want public funds going to private schools. New polling shows Albertans feel the same. calgary.citynews.ca/2025/12/11/a...
Reposted by BC Humanist Association
A billboard company that's long had anti-abortion messages along the highway near Kelowna refused to put up pro-choice ads. But now they say the anti-abortion ones are coming down, too www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Anti-abortion billboards in West Kelowna to come down after pro-choice advocate’s push | CBC News
A dispute over abortion messaging on high-profile billboards in West Kelowna, B.C., has led to a major policy shift by the company that controls the signs.
www.cbc.ca
December 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A billboard company that's long had anti-abortion messages along the highway near Kelowna refused to put up pro-choice ads. But now they say the anti-abortion ones are coming down, too www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...