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About Us

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization of members inspired by faith to act for justice in Canadian public policy.

How do we move Canada towards the kind of society we want? One where no child goes hungry ... where care for the Earth becomes a way of life ... where refugees are treated fairly ... where no one lives in poverty … where Aboriginal people can rise up from their marginalized status.

It’s a tall order. That’s why for more than 45 years over 1500 justice-oriented Canadian Christians, along with dozens of local churches, religious orders and others, have joined their voices as Citizens for Public Justice to have a real impact on the society we share.

CPJ defines public justice as the political dimension of loving one's neighbour, caring for creation and achieving the common good. Public justice is particularly the responsibility of government and citizens. It involves seeking out and implementing just policies that allow everyone to live in dignity and participate in society.

We invite you to help us to be a hope-filled presence in Canadian public affairs by joining your voice to ours.

Vision and Mission

We are a faithful response to God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.

We envision a world in which individuals, communities, societal institutions and governments all contribute to and benefit from the common good.

Our mission is to promote public justice in Canada by shaping key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, leaders in society and governments to support policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.

Public Justice

We live in a country that provides us with immense opportunities. As citizens, we are called to participate in the public sphere and encourage our governments to adopt just policies. As Christians, we are called to live out our response to God’s call to love, justice and stewardship. This response is at the heart of public justice.

CPJ defines public justice as the political dimension of loving one’s neighbour, caring for creation and achieving the common good. Public justice is particularly the responsibility of government and citizens. It involves seeking out and implementing just policies that allow everyone to live in dignity and participate in society.

Publications

CPJ’s publications range from books to position papers to newsletters. the Catalyst, our quarterly newsletter, goes in-depth on a wide range of public justice issues. Our monthly e-newsletter, Ola!, informs about our current work and what is going on in other justice organizations across the country.

We also publish and promote books, including Hope in Troubled Times: A new vision for confronting global crises. Published in 2007, this book explores current worldwide crises including environmental devastation and widespread poverty. It doesn’t stop there, however – the book goes on to provide a biblically-founded framework for approaching these crises, leaving us with a hopeful vision for the future.

Our Story

CPJ has a long history of speaking out for public justice across Canada. From the early beginnings in the 1960s, to regional offices in the 1980s, to our move to our nation’s capital in 2007, CPJ has been an active voice in Canadian public affairs.

Our history includes many people of different backgrounds coming together to speak with one voice. Explore our history below – and join us as we move forward in the next chapter of CPJ.

Our People

CPJ is made up of over 1500 members across Canada, who support and encourage CPJ’s staff. The Board of Directors is composed of 12 elected members representing all regions of Canada. We also have volunteers who generously give of their time and join our voices together throughout the country.

Join your voice to ours today – become a member, take time to volunteer, talk to one of our staff members, or take on a leadership role as a member of the board!

Finance/Governance

CPJ is funded through the donations of members, church communities, religious congregations, and other supporters. Our elected 12-member board of directors represents all regions of Canada. Board members can sit a maximum of two 3-year terms.

Each spring, CPJ holds an Annual General Meeting for members to come together to discuss CPJ’s work and vote in new board members. Join this dialogue – become a member and strengthen CPJ’s voice.

Employment Opportunities

At this time we have no employment opportunities available. Strengthen our voice – join us by becoming a member or volunteering in a variety of ways, or, if you’re a recent university graduate, check out our internship possibilities.

Past issues

View past issues of the Catalyst. Read more »

Ola! February 2010

Yves Lessard, MPWelcome to this February edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice.

Despite the prorogation of parliament, it has been a busy month for CPJ. We co-hosted “The Dish on Dignity” – a Dignity for All campaign event that included the participation of 27 parliamentarians – and have been in conversation with churches, policy networks, and interfaith groups.

Read on to learn more about what we’ve been up to and where you can catch up with CPJ staff in the weeks ahead. Read more »

Experiencing CPJ as an intern: Mid-point Reflections

As I approach the half-way point in my internship with CPJ I would like to reflect on the last five months. The activities in which I have been involved have been very helpful in terms of my own personal and professional development, and many have been helpful in promoting CPJ’s work in a variety of areas. Most of my work can be divided into the following categories: office collaboration, research, website content and connections. Read more »

20 Days: 20 Questions for Parliament

QuestionsThe Prime Minister sent our MPs home to recalibrate the government agenda. The break was 20 workdays, he said.

If you could set the agenda for 2010 during this pause, what would your list of the 20 most important policy concerns include?

CPJ has come up with a list of 20 key policy questions, one for each day. We believe these issues should be debated by MPs, the voice of the people, to set directions for Canada. Read more »

Ola! January 2010

Child playing in the snowHappy New Year and welcome to the January edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. 2010 is off to an exciting start. Read on for information about our latest happenings. Read more »

Public Justice Internship 2010-2011

Are you passionate about social justice issues? Are you looking for a chance to apply your university education to pressing issues and current questions? Each year, CPJ’s Public Justice Internship Program provides a recent graduate with the opportunity to explore the meaning of public justice and learn to frame current political issues in this context. Through writing articles, researching policies and engaging in dialogue with senior policy staff, the intern will become better equipped to challenge issues of injustice in Canada. Read more »

Towards a Just and Sustainable Society

The beginning of a new year brings many questions. Still, we are energized by the potential of what lies ahead, spurred on by the focus of a new strategic plan, and strengthened by the support of longstanding and new members alike.

God has called us, redeemed us, and transformed us to be agents of change. “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10). We will therefore offer a faithful response to God’s call for love, justice and stewardship. Read more »

Ola! November 2009

Welcome to the November edition of the email newsletter for Citizens for Public Justice. Read about our latest happenings below, and join with us in preparing for the reflective and anticipatory season of Advent. Read more »

Reduce? Eliminate? Make it history?

Poverty reduction, anti-poverty movement, poverty elimination, making poverty history – all of these terms have been associated with advocacy against poverty. What is the difference? Why do some use one term and others, another? Read more »

A federal anti-poverty act: What's in an act?

The Dignity for All campaign calls for a federal anti-poverty Act that ensures enduring federal commitment and accountability for results. Why is legislation necessary? Read more »

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