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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 »

AGM 2012: A Call to Speak Truth to Power

Crowd at the CPJ Annual Meeting

One of CPJ’s key mandates is to help governments understand what implications their decisions hold for people who are vulnerable and in need. So, what do we do when government priorities are misplaced and these very people are overlooked in the name of economic expansion? While it might be tempting to give up in frustration and just wait for the winds to change, CPJ’s recent Annual General Meeting in Ottawa made clear that it is especially in times like these that we must stay engaged and speak truth to power. Read more »

the Catalyst, Spring 2012 - Vol. 35, No. 1

the Catalyst, Spring 2012 Read more »

Job application for Communications Coordinator position

Employment Opportunity with CPJ in Ottawa: Communications Coordinator

Application Deadline: Sunday July 15, 2012

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ), is a national organization of citizens inspired by faith to act for justice in Canadian public policy. We are currently seeking a Communications Coordinator, to begin in September 2012.

CPJ’s 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.

If you have a passion for public justice, as well as relevant experience and education, we would look forward to your application for this position. Read more »

Annual reports

ChartLate in 2003, Canada Revenue Agency published guidelines that clarified rules for registered charities. This allowed the folding together of the work of the registered charity, CJL Foundation, operating as Public Justice Resource Centre and the work of the non-profit, Citizens for Public Justice. As of January 2006, the charitable organization going forward is officially CJL Foundation, operating as Citizens for Public Justice. Read more »

Ola! April/May 2012

Standing in a paddle of waterWelcome to the April issue of Ola!, the monthly e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice with upcoming events, creative public justice initiatives, and an update on the Dignity for All Campaign to catch up on. Read on to learn more! Read more »

Ola! March 2012

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Cherry blossomWelcome to the March issue of Ola!, the monthly e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. We’ve experienced some interesting weather in the nation’s capital this month, with an unexpected summer interlude that had the whole city rummaging for shorts and pining for holidays. Colder winds have since returned, reminding us that it is still, in fact, March. In any case, the CPJ office was far from vacation mode this month with cross-country trips, important visits on the Hill and plans underway for upcoming conferences. Read up on the latest news! Read more »

Ola! February 2012

Krokus flowersWelcome to this February edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. February has been a busy and fruitful month for CPJ, with two major events successfully organized and many other plans underway. Read on to learn more about these activities and who’s new in our burgeoning CPJ staff! 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 »

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