The city of Boisbriand suffered another legal setback Thursday in its attempt to collect large sums in property taxes on Hasidic community buildings.
For years, the city has tried to raise property taxes on community buildings like schools, arguing that they shouldn’t be exempt like houses of worship.
However, after a victory in Quebec’s administrative tribunal for real estate matters in 2018, the city was dismissed by the Quebec Supreme Court in 2020.
Asked to rule in its turn, Quebec’s Court of Appeal found Thursday that the tax exemption for religious establishments “must be interpreted and applied broadly, liberally, fluidly and contextually.” […] and not in a punctual or strict manner.
According to the court, “it is enough that religious objects color the entire work to conclude that the institution is religious.”
During the Supreme Court case, the Hasidic community asserted that only religious education would be offered in their schools, while secular subjects would be taught at home.
The deficit for the city of Boisbriand is remarkable. For example, the girls’ school could face $60,000 in property taxes, compared to $30,000 for the boys’ school, TVA Nouvelles reported in 2020.
Boisbriand is home to a Hasidic community with around 3,000 members.