March 5,2026
RED FM News Desk
The British Columbia Humanist Association (BCHA) has launched a campaign encouraging Canadians who do not follow a religion to select the “no religion” option on the 2026 census.
At the centre of the campaign is a digital pledge page where people can commit to accurately reporting their religious status. The initiative aims to address what the organization calls the “ghosting” of religious statistics—when individuals select a religion on the census because of family tradition or cultural background rather than personal belief.
Ian Bushfield, executive director of the BCHA, said inaccurate responses can distort data that governments rely on when making policy and funding decisions.
“The census plays a major role in determining how public money is spent,” Bushfield said, adding that inflated religious statistics can influence funding for faith-based programs, chaplaincy services and religious schools.
The campaign draws inspiration from similar initiatives in the United Kingdom and Australia that encouraged people to identify as non-religious if that reflects their beliefs.
In the 2021 census, 34.6 per cent of Canadians reported having no religion, while British Columbia recorded the highest proportion at 52.1 per cent. The BCHA argues the number of non-religious Canadians may still be higher because the census asks respondents to report a religion even if they are not actively practising it.
Supporters are being invited to sign the pledge at noreligion.ca and encourage others to choose the option that best reflects their beliefs.
Census invitations have already been sent to some rural and northern communities, while most Canadian households are expected to receive theirs in May.
Founded in 1982, the BC Humanist Association advocates for secularism and the separation of religion and government, and provides a community for non-religious people in the province.
Loading ...
