- Over one-third of Canadians believe religious institutions should be allowed to remain untaxed.
- Support for exemption is strongest in Ontario and among younger Canadians.
August 19, 2022:
Effective 2023, a new by-law will come into effect in Iqaluit whereby churches will no longer be exempt from paying property taxes as they have in the past, except in cases where they adhere to very strict conditions. Considering this change, we asked Canadians if, in general, they support or oppose religious organizations in Canada maintaining their tax-exempt status.
Results indicate that just over one-third of Canadians (37%) support religious institutions keeping their tax-exempt status, while a similar proportion are opposed (35%). A quarter of Canadians are indifferent about the subject, either not providing an answer or giving a neutral response (27%).
Support for this exemption is modestly stronger in Ontario (42%), and modestly weaker in Quebec (32%) compared to other provinces. Across age groups, support for allowing religious organizations to remain untaxed decreases with age, with residents ages 55+ least likely to be in support.
Results are from a survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted online between August 2 and 4, 2022 with 1,233 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The question asked was:
Beginning in 2023, Iqaluit has passed a new by-law that requires churches to begin paying property taxes unless they meet strict conditions. In general, religious institutions in Canada are exempt from paying taxes.
Overall, to what extent would you support or oppose religious organizations in Canada maintaining their tax-exempt status?
- Completely Support
- Mostly Support
- Neither support nor oppose
- Somewhat oppose
- Completely Oppose
- Not sure
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner, Narrative Research – 902.493-3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.
Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup
