The words “the poor you always have with you” in Mark 14:7 are sometimes used to deflect attention away from meeting the needs of the poor and focusing it elsewhere. But is this a legitimate use of this verse? Is Jesus really encouraging his followers to turn from the poor? Rev. Gary Hauch explores what Jesus meant by looking at the biblical context. Read more »
Recently, I received a flyer from the current governing party offering me two choices: I can pay a 5% GST or a 7% GST. In case I was uncertain of the best choice, inside a smiling man tells me “We kept our promise to cut the GST,” while a dopey-looking man is labeled as “threatening to raise it back up to 7%.” Given the options, my choice is clear. More taxes? Yes, please! In fact, rather than taking something away from me, taxes make a contribution to the betterment of my life, my country, and my fellow Canadians. Taxes generate the revenues that create our social and physical infrastructure, support our democratic institutions and provide a mechanism for redistribution so that no one in our financially prosperous country is left too far behind. Read more »
On May 6, the Maytree Foundation held their 2008 Annual Leadership Conference, with the theme of belonging and its impact on individual and community wellbeing. Citizens for Public Justice joined with leaders from various sectors to discuss issues of identity, citizenship, multiculturalism and reflect on ways to enable marginalized groups to fully participate in society. The keynote speakers and workshop panelists challenged us to think deeply about the complex issues of diversity and what it means to “belong” in Canadian society. Read more »
One of the challenges in public policy work is measuring outcomes. In CPJ’s poverty reduction strategy campaign, we advocate that such a strategy requires “mechanisms of accountability and poverty indicators to monitor progress.” Coming up with an agreed upon poverty indicator is not easy, but is an important step in measuring progress on reducing poverty. Measuring poverty requires looking at looking at a wider view of the nature of poverty, and also at the wider view of the nature of well-being. Read more »
The words “the poor you always have with you” in Mark 14:7 are sometimes used to deflect attention away from meeting the needs of the poor and focusing it elsewhere. But is this a legitimate use of this verse? Is Jesus really encouraging his followers to turn from the poor? Rev. Gary Hauch explores what Jesus meant by looking at the biblical context. 
Recently, I received a flyer from the current governing party offering me two choices: I can pay a 5% GST or a 7% GST. In case I was uncertain of the best choice, inside a smiling man tells me “We kept our promise to cut the GST,” while a dopey-looking man is labeled as “threatening to raise it back up to 7%.” Given the options, my choice is clear. More taxes? Yes, please! In fact, rather than taking something away from me, taxes make a contribution to the betterment of my life, my country, and my fellow Canadians. Taxes generate the revenues that create our social and physical infrastructure, support our democratic institutions and provide a mechanism for redistribution so that no one in our financially prosperous country is left too far behind. 
On May 6, the Maytree Foundation held their 2008 Annual Leadership Conference, with the theme of belonging and its impact on individual and community wellbeing. Citizens for Public Justice joined with leaders from various sectors to discuss issues of identity, citizenship, multiculturalism and reflect on ways to enable marginalized groups to fully participate in society. The keynote speakers and workshop panelists challenged us to think deeply about the complex issues of diversity and what it means to “belong” in Canadian society. 
