Bill PR33, Honey Harbour Community Church Inc. Act, 2025

Summary#

This Ontario private bill would bring back Honey Harbour Community Church Inc. as a legal corporation. The church was dissolved in 1994 for not filing required information, but the applicant says this was an accident and the church kept operating.

• Restores the church’s legal status as if it had never been dissolved.
• Returns its property, rights, and privileges, and also its debts and other obligations.
• Protects any rights that other people gained since 1994 (those do not get taken away).
• Takes effect when it receives Royal Assent (formal approval).

What it means for you#

• Church leaders and members

  • The church can again hold property, open bank accounts, sign leases, and make contracts in its own name.
  • Past activities done in the church’s name can be aligned with a proper legal entity.
  • The church also resumes any debts or obligations it had at the time it was dissolved.

• Donors and partners

  • You can give funds or enter agreements with the church as a recognized corporation.
  • Record‑keeping and ownership (like for charitable assets) will be clearer.

• Creditors and contractors

  • Any valid debts or contracts tied to the church from before dissolution are recognized again.
  • You can deal with the church as a legal entity for payments or disputes.

• Local community

  • The church can operate programs and manage property without legal uncertainty.

• People who gained rights since 1994

  • If someone legally gained rights to church property, names, or other interests during the dissolved period, those rights are protected and are not undone by this bill.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Fixes an old paperwork mistake so the church can operate properly.
• Restores clear ownership and authority to manage property, bank accounts, and contracts.
• Helps a community institution continue serving local residents.
• Safeguards third parties by keeping any rights they gained since 1994.
• Similar revival bills are routine tools to correct past compliance lapses for small nonprofits.

Opponents' View#

• May be seen as rewarding a corporation that failed to follow filing rules.
• Could lead to disputes about actions taken while the church was dissolved.
• Restoring old obligations might create financial or legal risks for the church.
• Sets a precedent that groups can rely on special legislation instead of staying compliant with filing requirements.