Dear editor,
At the Public Forum on June 21 there was some discussion about the Equal Access Committee’s statement that the so-called amalgamation of Glacier View Lodge (GVL), St. Joseph’s and Providence Health Care (PHCS) would amount to a transfer (gift) of the GVL assets to the Catholic Church.
A member of the audience suggested that to prove this we “follow the money”. So I did.
There is ample documentation, some public some not public, to show that the so–called amalgamation would result in the transfer of the assets of GVL ($20 million) to a new charity (incorporation Jan 4, 2017) called Providence Residential and Community Care Services Society (PRCC). The constitution and Bylaws of PRCC reveal the following key facts:
• The purposes of the society are “in accordance with the teachings, cannons and ethics of the Roman Catholic Church”…. to provide a list of various senior and health care services.
• Bylaw 2.1 “the members of the society are:
• The Archbishop;
• The Bishop;
• PHCS; and
• Up to two members appointed by the Archbishop in accordance with Bylaw 2.2 hereof.”
• Bylaw 17.1 Dissolution
“Upon winding–up or dissolution of the society, the funds and property remaining after the payment of all costs, charges and expenses properly incurred in the winding–up or dissolution, including the remuneration of the liquidator, and after payment to employees of the society of the arrears of salaries or wages, and after the payment of any debts of the society, will be distributed to PHCS provided it is a “qualified donee” as such term is defined under the Income Tax Act. In the event that PHCS is not in existence or is not a “qualified donee” as such terms is defined under the Income Tax Act, then the board will, by board resolution, distribute any funds and property remaining to one or more “qualified donees” as the board in its discretion decides.”
Cut through the legalese and it is obvious when you follow the money that the assets of GVL would go to a society (PRCC) totally controlled by the Catholic Church, and that if PRCC were wound-up or dissolved the assets would go where the Catholic Church decided.
Bottom line:
• Assets that are currently owned by all of us would be transferred/given to the Catholic Church.
• Medical Assistance in dying (MAiD) would no longer be available.
Reg Crone, EAC chair