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Press Release: Scientology Canada facing petition to have tax status revoked
NEWS FLASH: A formal petition to have Scientology and Narconon's tax status revoked in Canada began yesterday in the province of Quebec.
WireService.ca Press Release - 08/31/2013 - The change.org petition was launched yesterday afternoon, addressed to Revenue Quebec, Minister of Finance and Economy, Mr. Nicolas Marceau. The Petition: "REVOKE all charitable Tax status exemptions of Scientology/Narconon in Quebec."
Drafted by 'Smart People Today', the Petition states, "Scientology is not recognized in Canada as a religion and functions and operates as a 'for profit' corporate business venture that preys on Quebec citizens of little means.
Scientology churches in each community, does not operate as a religion, church, or charity by depending on parishioner/members donations given willingly as each person can afford. Scientology sets strict fees for self-improvement courses and must be paid before beginning course. Scientology also operates as a book store corporate venture and harasses members to purchase through telemarketing schemes and intimidation tactics to continue purchasing increasing volumes.
Scientology is a convicted CRIMINAL organization in Canada for "Breach of Public Trust". Scientology's drug rehab, Narconon, in Trois-Riviers, was recently closed by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, and Scientology/Narconon is currently being investigated for exploitation of a handicap, discrimination, and reprisals, by the Quebec Human Rights Commission."
Hon. Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, states, "Scientology and Conservatives: is the government burying its head in sand?
During 'Question Period', the Senator comments to the Honourable senators:
"My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. On May 15, Le Devoir reported that the Church of Scientology was preparing for a major offensive in Canada. This pseudo-church seems obsessed with the idea of establishing itself in Canada in order to recruit new members. According to the president of Canada's Church of Scientology, Yvette Shank, they hope to open another seven churches by the end of 2011 in Canada's major cities, much like the one opened in downtown Quebec City in January 2010. They are looking to build in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Kitchener.
We know that the founder of the Church of Scientology was convicted of fraud by a French court in 1977; that in 1992, Toronto's Church of Scientology was condemned by the Ontario Court of Justice for ordering some of its members to spy on government authorities, including Ontario's police service and the Office of the Attorney General; and that in 2009, the two main branches of France's Church of Scientology and seven of its leaders were prosecuted for organized fraud and illegally operating as a pharmacy, eventually paying hundreds of thousands of Euros in fines. How does your government intend to limit the growth of this movement and take appropriate measures to ensure that it does not receive any public funding or claim a federal property tax exemption and also ensure that it is never recognized as a charitable organization for tax credits under the Income Tax Act?"
Within hours of yesterday's Petition being posted online, signatures and comments appeared from not only Quebec and Canada, but from across the globe.
Gary Lee-Nova, VANCOUVER, CANADA -- "I insist that the Government of Quebec, put an end to the extortionist cult known as "scientology!" At least, revoke all charitable Tax status exemptions of the cult in Quebec. Thank you."
Lynne Meeker, ORANGEVILLE, CANADA -- "Scientology church is the closest thing to a cult and should be banned in Canada and probably everywhere. We do not want this church that mandates brain washing in our country. Limiting funds will deter this group in their exploits."
Tory Christman BURBANK, CA - "Scientology IS a 100% BUSINESS. Why are they getting tax exemption? I was in it for 30 YEARS: *everything* costs LOTS of Money."
Alice Flynn BOZEMAN, MT - "Fraud should not be supported by the government with tax exemption."
Robert Robinson FOREST GROVE, OR - "First line says it all. "Scientology is not recognized in Canada as a religion and functions and operates as a 'for profit' corporate business venture that preys on Quebec citizens of little means."
Public protests are scheduled this long weekend in Montreal and the capital of Quebec, Quebec City, where hard copies of the Petition will be available for citizens to sign. At the rate signatures are pouring in, a "Fall" meeting with Federal and Provincial governments are anticipated.
Scientology and their drug rehab network, Narconon, promote themselves as a social betterment group, but evidence of traumatized victims and dead Narconon patients delivered to morgues hardly depicts a group worthy of the name "betterment."
Scientology Cult leader, David Miscavige, and his front men, Clark Carr and Brad Melnychuk, are facing massive public outcry from the proposed Narconon in Hockley Valley, Ontario. As one citizen said, "They came to wrong community this time," and have vowed not to back down from this giant international corporation with deep pockets.
In this following imbedded video, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, speaks her mind.
David Edgar Love
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