BC Humanist Association
@bchumanist.ca
Reason, compassion and home. https://www.bchumanist.ca
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/...
Reposted by BC Humanist Association
Congrats to our ally the BC Humanist Assoc. for ending anti-choice billboards in Kelowna BC! Some companies were accepting anti-choice ads but refusing pro-choice ads. Unfortunately, they still refuse pro-choice ads despite them meeting legal and advertising standards. Anti-choice ads do NOT.
Anti-abortion billboards gone from West Kelowna commute - West Kelowna News
The BC Humanist Association said in a story posted to their website this week that their members heard last spring about UBC Okanagan student Sophie Harm’s thwarted efforts to launch a counter message
www.castanet.net
December 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Congrats to our ally the BC Humanist Assoc. for ending anti-choice billboards in Kelowna BC! Some companies were accepting anti-choice ads but refusing pro-choice ads. Unfortunately, they still refuse pro-choice ads despite them meeting legal and advertising standards. Anti-choice ads do NOT.
"It is absolutely a victory," Sophie Harms said. "When I started this campaign, I had low expectations. But I’m constantly surprised at the success."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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 9:27 PM
"It is absolutely a victory," Sophie Harms said. "When I started this campaign, I had low expectations. But I’m constantly surprised at the success."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A recent poll suggests more Canadians want to see creationism taught in schools but @jonathanjarry.bsky.social reminds us we to be skeptical www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
Does Creationism Have a Place in Classrooms?
A new poll shows that nearly half of all Canadians believe that creationism—the idea that living things on this planet were created by supernatural forces—should be taught in schools. More troubling,...
www.mcgill.ca
December 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
A recent poll suggests more Canadians want to see creationism taught in schools but @jonathanjarry.bsky.social reminds us we to be skeptical www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
Great write-up of our efforts to challenge anti-choice messages along Hwy 97 in West Kelowna.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/when-one-v...
queergranddad.substack.com/p/when-one-v...
When One Voice Becomes a Chorus: The Power Behind Removing Harmful Billboards in the Okanagan
The recent pro-choice win in the Okanagan reminds me of the anti-SOGI billboard takedown
queergranddad.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Great write-up of our efforts to challenge anti-choice messages along Hwy 97 in West Kelowna.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/when-one-v...
queergranddad.substack.com/p/when-one-v...
Going live now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UVx...
Shame-Sex Attraction with Dr Lucas Wilson
Join us for a livestream discussion with author and researcher Dr Lucas Wilson about his new book, Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy.
Bio: Dr. Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC…
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Going live now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UVx...