A religious charity that owns Knapp Island has lost an appeal of a decision denying a property tax exemption for an island near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

The Matsuri Foundation of Canada sought the exemption from the Property Assessment Board for the 31-acre island as a 含羞草研究社減lace of public worship,含羞草研究社� according to a court decision released on Feb. 5.

In dismissing Matsuri含羞草研究社檚 appeal, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Francesca Marzani found the board properly denied the requested exemption.

Shin Mei Spiritual Centre is home to the Matsuri Foundation of Canada.

含羞草研究社淗ere, we offer a sacred space where people can find renewal of spirit and learn Shinto and Buddhist practice,含羞草研究社� Matsuri含羞草研究社檚 website says. 含羞草研究社淭he centre itself has spaces for prayer, meditation and ceremonies and a library of reading materials on spirituality.含羞草研究社�

In March 2023, the board found that Matsuri had not established that the public was invited to or had access to the island, so exempting it as a place of public worship was not applicable for the 2022 tax year.

Matsuri accepted the board含羞草研究社檚 finding on this issue, but argued that the island was entitled to an exemption 含羞草研究社渙n fairness and equity grounds when compared to other similar properties in British Columbia.含羞草研究社� Judge Marzani found board含羞草研究社檚 analysis fully addressed the equity issue.

The judgment said the board had heard from an assessor about 19 other Gulf Island worship sites that had some form of tax exemption, but those differed because of their accessibility, population and size.

Knapp Island is assessed as two parcels, according to court documents. The southern parcel含羞草研究社檚 land is assessed at $5,107,000, while the value of improvements to the south section is assessed at $3,427,000. The northern parcel含羞草研究社檚 land is assessed at $4,410,000.

Matsuri was previously sited at Bright Woods Spiritual Centre on Salt Spring Island. In 2021, the operations were transferred to the Shin Mei Spiritual Centre.

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