Religious Organizations’ Lands Act

The Religious Organizations’ Lands Act applies to:

“religious organization” means an association of persons,

  1. that is charitable according to the law of Ontario,

  2. that is organized for the advancement of religion and for the conduct of religious worship, services or rites, and

  3. that is permanently established both as to the continuity of its existence and as to its religious beliefs, rituals and practices,

and includes an association of persons that is charitable according to the law of Ontario and that is organized for the advancement of and for the conduct of worship, services or rites of >the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Baha’i, Longhouse Indian, Sikh, Unitarian or Zoroastrian faith, or a subdivision or denomination thereof; (“organisation religieuse”).

Religious Organizations’ Lands Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.23, s. 1(1) “religious organization”.

Is this a violation of Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Before 2009, the Religious Organizations’ Lands Act prevented religious organizations from leasing lands for more than 40 years. In 2008, the St. Andrew’ s United Church (Toronto) Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c. Pr2 - Bill Pr3 makes an expection for St. Andrew’s Congregation of The United Church of Canada at Toronto for 121 Bloor Street East

Why did I add this?: - I am interested in how ownership of religious institutions works

See More: - Religious Organizations’ Lands Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.23
- St. Andrew’ s United Church (Toronto) Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c. Pr2 - Bill Pr3