Which 'god' was Premier David Eby asking to bless Canada and the U.S. in speech to international athletes?

by Paul Henderson 14 days ago 2 min read

BC Humanist Association says it's 'surprising' for a Premier of a party that has recognized government's secular nature to evoke a deity

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"God bless the USA, God bless Canada, God bless all of you" – Premier David Eby

In a world landscape where we have far right Christian nationalism in the DNA of the federal Conservative Party of Canada the provincial BC Cons, hearing those inappropriate words coming from the mouth of a politician might not warrant the bat of an eyelash.

Of course, it still should be shocking to hear coming from Pierre Poilievre or John Rustand given that we live in a diverse, multicultural and – most importantly – secular nation as made absolutely clear by the Supreme Court of Canada.

But NDP Premier David Eby invoking "god"? What the what?

At the kickoff to the Invictus Games in Vancouver this past Saturday (Feb. 8, 2025), the Premier ended his speech with precisely that Christian proselytizing into a microphone, sent out to all in attendance.

“Ten years after the the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the state's duty of religious neutrality, it feels even more surprising to hear such language from the leader of the party that ended the Lord's Prayer and daily bible readings in public schools or that forced the Abbotsford School District to end creationism in science classrooms.”

That from Ian Bushfield, executive director of the BC Humanist Association (BCHA) in a statement issued Thursday (Feb. 13, 2025).

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“We don't have to look far these days to see the dangers that come from mixing religious nationalism with politics” – Ian Bushfield

Bushfield points out that when Stephen Harper was first elected Prime Minister in January 2006, he ended his first speech with "God bless Canada.”

That moment of hypocrisy came like a children keeping a secret until the parents the room. You see, Harper refrained from doing so during the election but once he was elected and no longer really could be held accountable for doing so, he did it.

But, again, Premier David Eby? It was a bizarre thing to see.

“We don't have to look far these days to see the dangers that come from mixing religious nationalism with politics,” Bushfield said.

The BCHA is campaigning this year to send a message to remind politicians at all levels of government that Canada is a secular country.

“We need your help to make April 15 ‘Religious Neutrality Day,’ marking the Saguenay decision's 10th anniversary,” Bushfield said.

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Paul J. Henderson
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