A handful of community groups are asking Courtenay council to take a closer look prior to the final adoption of the 2024 Permissive Property Tax Exemptions bylaw Wednesday (Oct. 25).
Every year, council considers a variety of requests from groups and organizations seeking tax exemptions for the upcoming tax year. Referring to a proposal brought forth by Coun. Evan Jolicoeur to revoke a permissive tax exemption of two organizations – Aaron House Ministries and Youth for Christ Comox Valley – the lead pastor of Aaron House Alain Lepine wrote to council expressing his concern regarding the proposal.
“It is alarming to contemplate the idea that public officials may accuse religious and non-profit organizations without any evidence, relying solely on hearsay. Such actions would undoubtedly set a dangerous precedent, one that we must not allow to take root,” writes Lepine. “The proposition of revoking tax exemptions without substantial proof of hate or discrimination is a matter that should not be taken lightly.”
Christopher Bate, chairperson of Pride Society of the Comox Valley also forwarded a letter for council to consider, noting that it has come to the attention of their board that the City of Courtenay may be granting a tax exemption to an organization that was recently involved in leading an anti-LGBTQIA2S+ protest locally, seeking to suppress transgender identity in schools. He added they encourage council to reconsider the exemption to any organization who advocated for the denial of human rights to equity-seeking groups.
“This would be consistent with the City of Courtenay’s stated mission to ‘promote educational opportunities and diversity, and care about the health and well-being and safety of our citizens, businesses and environment.’ “
The Comox Valley Social Planning Society also sent council a letter in support of the Pride Society’s letter, asking council to look at tax exemption criteria through an equity lens.
The tax exemptions bylaw comes on the heels of an upcoming visit by Action4Canada founder Tanya Gaw, who is set to bring her tour to Bay Community Church in Comox on Oct. 26 and Living Waters Fellowship Church in Black Creek Oct. 27.
On its website, Action4Canada notes it is a “grassroots movement uniting voices in opposition to the destructive policies tearing at the fabric of this nation … we are committed to protecting faith, family and freedom.”
Founder Gaw says she provides overwhelming evidence that the LGBTQ activists’ infiltration into public (and private) schools is causing devastating harm to children, parents and society at large.
“The LGBTQ have been hijacked by radical activists who are attacking the core freedoms and rights of all Canadians,” reads the website and adds a ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education’ resource sexualizes children at the earliest age possible and “is causing great harm to minors and is an attack against the traditional family unit.”
Bay Community Church was recently granted a Permissive Tax Exemption for 2024 by Comox council at the Oct. 18 regular council meeting.
The Comox Valley Regional District board passed their Permissive Tax Exemption bylaw in September and Living Waters Fellowship Church did not receive an exemption.