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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! January 2012

Parliament in the WinterWelcome to the first 2012 edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. The new year has begun and with it a renewed desire to seek public justice in our nation. Exciting happenings are on the horizon, keeping the CPJ office busy planning, coordinating and meeting with our partners. Read on to learn about important upcoming events and the latest CPJ news. Read more »

Gerald Vandezande: How did his life's work inspire us?

Gerald Vandezande“Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to place into our national record my commendation of a very extraordinary Canadian; a man who was not only a champion of justice, a voice for the voiceless, and a man deep and compelling faith, but a mentor and cherished friend. His name was Gerald Vandezande.”
Read more »

Faithfully living God's call: a look back at 2011

Parliament HillFor nearly 50 years now, CPJ has been bearing witness to God's call for love, justice and stewardship in the Canadian public sphere. Together, we have diligently worked for public justice and the common good. In this feature, we look back and celebrate what we accomplished in 2011. Read more »

Hungering for a New Politics: The Life’s Work of Gerald Vandezande

Gerald VandezandePlease join Gerald’s friends and family in an evening and the following morning designed to remember the work of this tireless Christian activist, member of the Order of Canada and a founder of Citizens for Public Justice, who passed away in the summer of 2011.

See the events poster.

Time and Place:
On Friday February17, 2012, beginning at 7 p.m. at First Christian Reformed Church of Toronto, 67 Taunton Road. (Taunton Road is centrally located, one block east of Mount Pleasant Road, just south of Eglinton Avenue East.) Read more »

the Catalyst, Winter 2011 - Vol. 34, No. 2

the Catalyst, Winter 2011 Read more »

Ola! December 2011

ChickadeeWelcome to the November/December edition of Ola!, the monthly e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. Read about our latest happenings below and join with us as we anticipate the Christmas celebration in this season of Advent. Read more »

Ola! October 2011

Leaf over waterWelcome to the October edition of Ola!, the monthly e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice.

October has flown by at CPJ with event-planning, meetings, and book sales keeping the office abuzz. The highlight of this month was this past weekend’s Interfaith Forum on Faith and Climate – a national dialogue on climate change and environmental justice. Read about this historic event and other happenings at CPJ in this month’s update. Read more »

Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change

Call to Action on Climate Change. Read more »

Ola! September 2011

Water fall Welcome to this September edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. While we’ve enjoyed a gradual transition to fall weather in Ottawa this month, September has marked a distinct change in season at the CPJ office with new faces and a whirlwind of activity. Highlights include the launch of our new book: Living Justice: A Gospel Response to Poverty, meetings with members on the Hill, and a CPJ brief to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons. Read on to learn more about the beginnings of our exciting fall season! Read more »

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