You can’t pick and choose which faith gets a tax break and which one doesn’t. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or Communities of faith provide a vast network of services — from food banks, to community kitchens, to support for shelters and Out of the Cold programs. Religious communities have long been the backbone of this country’s successful private refugee sponsorship program. They do more than raise cash. They provide hundreds of volunteers who help newcomers with their day-to-day needs. Church attendance has plummeted dramatically over the past 30 years. Many churches are already struggling to keep the doors open. Some have closed or merged with neighbouring parishes. Removing their tax-exempt status would be a death blow and would force many of them to turn their property into condos. Some may shrug and ask, “who cares?” The fact remains that some churches are at the heart of their community.