The British Columbia Humanist Association (BCHA) is calling on Canadians to mark the “no religion” box on the upcoming Census religion question.
The centrepiece of the campaign is a new digital pledge page where Canadians across the country can commit to ticking the “No Religion” box. The initiative aims to prevent the ghosting of religious statistics, where individuals who do not practice or believe in a faith still tick a religious box based on family tradition or cultural upbringing.
“The Census is the most important document in Canada when it comes to deciding how your tax dollars are spent,” said Ian Bushfield, Executive Director of the BC Humanist Association. “When people tick a religious box out of habit rather than conviction, it creates a distorted picture. Governments use that inflated data to justify funding for faith-based programs, chaplaincy programs, and religious schools. We’re saying: if you don’t believe it, don’t tick it.”
The campaign draws direct inspiration from successful international efforts by Humanists UK and the “Census21” movement in Australia, both of which saw record-breaking numbers of citizens identifying as non-religious after similar public awareness drives.
Why Accuracy Matters
In the 2021 Census, the number of Canadians reporting “no religion” rose to 34.6%, with British Columbia leading the way at 52.1%.
However, the BCHA argues that even these numbers are likely undercounting the secular population due to the way the question is phrased. The Census asks Canadians to report a religion “even if the person was not currently a practising member of that group.”
“An accurate Census is a win for everyone,” continued Bushfield. “It ensures that public policy on healthcare, education, and human rights is based on who Canadians actually are in 2026, not who we were 50 years ago.”
How to Participate
The BCHA is inviting supporters to visit noreligion.ca to sign the pledge and help explain the importance of the “No Religion” option to friends and family.
Census questionnaires have already gone out to select rural and northern communities. Most households will receive their invites in May.
About the BC Humanist Association
The BC Humanist Association (BCHA) provides a community and a voice for those British Columbians who identify as non-religious. Since 1982, the BCHA has advocated for the separation of religion and state and for a more secular, science-based approach to public policy.
