• Reform the property tax code so large religious and non-profit properties contribute fairly.

• As a Knight of Columbus, Ronald supports this reform as a moral and fraternal duty.

In Matthew 21:12–13, Jesus drove out the money changers…

• Churches often enjoy tax-exempt status despite substantial property and business assets.

• Their non-contribution burdens working-class taxpayers and struggling families.

• Shouldn’t religious institutions share in funding housing, mental health care, and public transit?

A Moral Responsibility for Collective Well-being

• Churches benefit from roads, services, and infrastructure—yet pay no property tax.

• They should help fund social programs aligned with their own teachings.

Time for a New Commitment

• All who benefit from the city have an ethical contribution to help build its future.

Category Breakdown & Hypothetical Revenue from Tax-Exempt Properties (excluding City-owned)

Based on Edmonton’s Fiscal Gap 2024 report:

[Rough calculation done from reddit.com]

Context & Trade-Offs

• *Taxing universities would likely pressure them to raise tuition to offset new operational costs.- *Taxing schools and hospitals would require the Province to increase funding to maintain essential services.”

Community sentiment favors reform in religious exemptions while recognizing the complexities of taxing public-benefit institutions.

Strategic Recommendation

• Focus reform efforts on religious-property exemptions first — this yields ~$20 M/year revenue with fewer systemic ripple effects.

• Safeguard exemptions for healthcare, education, social housing, and core non-profits that rely on tax relief to operate sustainably.

• Advocate for province-level structural change (e.g., GIPOT – Grants in place of taxes – reforms) to avoid shifting services costs unfairly.

Platform Talking Points (Campaign Version)

“If every institution that benefits from City services paid its fair share—especially wealthy places of worship—we could raise $20M+ per year without burdening working families. Let’s keep exemptions limited only to essential public services like social housing, mental‑health nonprofits, hospitals, and libraries.”

Edmonton’s religious exemption policy currently relies on Section 362(1)(k) of the Municipal Government Act, which allows property owned by religious bodies to be tax-exempt if it is “used chiefly for divine service, public worship or religious education.”
Important Legal Boundaries:

• IIn Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton v. Edmonton (City) (1998), the court upheld a ruling that only actual religious use qualifies, not broader community or cultural functions.

• In Edmonton (City) v. North Pointe Community Church (2008), Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench clarified that intention to use is not enough—“used” means actual use, and exemption must be clearly proven, not assumed.

Platform Talking Point:

“Legal precedent limits religious property tax exemptions only to actual, religious activities—not social halls, unused land, or parking lots. However, loopholes allow wealthy institutions to skirt taxes without delivering evident public benefit.

As Mayor, I will lead a constitutional challenge to reform Section 362(1)(k) so that exemptions must be earned through transparent public service, not assumed through worship affiliation. Ending blanket religious exemptions could raise over $20 million/year for housing, transit, and local services—without burdening working families.”