Press Room

June 16, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Ottawa, ON: Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) praised a new private member’s bill tabled in the House of Commons today calling for a federal poverty elimination strategy. The bill was tabled by Tony Martin of the New Democratic Party and seconded by Mike Savage of the Liberal Party and Yves Lessard of the Bloc Québécois.

“This is an important piece of legislation that will help to promote dignity for all Canadians,” said Chandra Pasma, CPJ’s public justice policy analyst. “We believe that developing a poverty elimination strategy is something all political parties, all Canadians and all people of faith should support. We are pleased to see this cross-party cooperation in introducing the bill, and we hope it will continue until the bill is adopted.” Read more »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Ottawa, ON: The 2008-2009 recession created poverty for hundreds of thousands of Canadian families, according to a new report released by Citizens for Public Justice (funded by World Vision Canada). Read more »

Now is the time to end poverty in Canada. That’s the key message of the Dignity for All Campaign, launched today in Calgary. Dignity for All: The Campaign for a Poverty-Free Canada aims to eliminate poverty and build a more socially secure and cohesive Canada by the year 2020. Read more »

Lauding Parliament’s unanimous support of a joint motion urging world leaders to make the fight against poverty a priority, Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) reiterated its call for an action plan to reduce poverty in Canada. Read more »

While applauding the government’s serious approach to the economic crisis, Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is disappointed that the federal budget did not contain a poverty reduction strategy or any significant measures to help the most vulnerable in Canada. Read more »

From the Western Catholic Reporter, Jan. 26, 2009

By Chandra Pasma

Where there is no vision, the people perish,” said the writer of Proverbs (29:18). These seem like apt words for today. So far, our political leaders have not offered any vision for 2009. But while 2009 is beginning with a crisis, that doesn’t mean it can’t hold hope for a better future. Citizens for Public Justice’s vision for 2009 is for a year in which our political parties work together to achieve the common good. Read the full article... Read more »

Today is the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While much has changed over the last 60 years, many challenges remain in the fight for human rights. Surprisingly, this is true not only in the Global South, but also in Canada.

“The abuse of human rights is a tragedy wherever and whenever it takes place,” said Joe Gunn, Executive Director of CPJ. “It is inexcusable, however, that in a country such as Canada with abundant resources and capacity, the basic human rights of 1 in 10 of its citizens are not being respected. Poverty is an affront to the universal values of dignity, freedom, justice and peace.” Read more »

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) expressed strong concern over the federal government’s proposal to remove the $1.75 per vote subsidy for political parties. In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CPJ board co-chairs Kathy Vandergrift and Jim Joosse outlined their hesitations about this proposal. Read more »

The United Nations says Canada’s record of social assistance negatively impacts women’s human rights. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women just issued its report on Canada’s compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

“The committee has sent a clear message to our governments,” said Joe Gunn, CPJ's Executive Director. “Our governments can’t hide behind jurisdictional disputes to avoid meeting their obligations to Canada’s women and girls. We need action.” Read more »

A report released by Campaign 2000 shows Canada’s child poverty rate is at almost the same level as when Parliament unanimously resolved to end child poverty by the year 2000. CPJ joined coalition spokespersons on Parliament Hill for the release of the report card. Read more »