An important element in making newcomers feel welcome is engaging the general population. Public education and awareness campaigns or proactive efforts to connect newcomers with Canadian residents are important. Education can help people understand one another while addressing concerns surrounding growing diversity and multiculturalism in Canada. Both government and non-government sectors need to be involved. Read more »
By Kathy Vandergrift and Citizens for Public Justice | Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
The 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 »
Happy 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 »
By Rebekah Sears | Friday, January 22nd, 2010 - 9:31AM
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Last week Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that, in light of the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, the government will explore options for fast tracking Haitian applicants. Since then, Kenney has been refining these options.
In general, both the Haitian community in Canada and refugee advocacy organizations such as the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) are grateful for the immediate response of the government to the crisis, and the emphasis on humanitarian and family immigration. But these same communities and groups feel that these actions are not enough, particularly considering the definition of immediate family. Read more »
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 »
By Rebekah Sears | Monday, January 18th, 2010 - 9:00AM
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Last year as part of Budget 2009, the government adopted a stimulus package to help boost the economy, which included increases to Working and Child tax benefits. However, the package was far from complete, especially concerning the most vulnerable Canadians - those living in poverty, many of whom have incomes too low to qualify for the tax benefits.
Poverty was not even mentioned in the budget although these concerns are often most dire in times of economic crisis. Increased job losses coupled with already low incomes and insufficient social assistance has devastated so many across the country. Budget 2009 did not identify these specific problems, nor did it propose a strategy for poverty reduction in Canada. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Friday, January 15th, 2010 - 9:06AM
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Canadian TV and film star Mary Walsh is just wrapping up a feature documentary on Canada’s working poor called Poor No More. Produced and directed by award-winning team Suzanne Babin and Bert Deveaux, the film focuses on the challenges of the working poor, as well as ways to significantly reduce poverty. This is especially critical now, while Canadians are beginning the slow process of economic recovery in light of the recent crisis.
On Saturday January 16 in Ottawa, join Mary Walsh and the film crew for lunch and final discussion on these issues at St. Andrew’s Church (82 Kent Street) at noon, followed by a rally on Parliament Hill at 1:30. This will be the last instalment in the film which is scheduled to be shown in various places across Canada this spring. See the official website for more details on the film and a schedule for cross country viewing opportunities. Read more »
Open debate is essential within Canada’s system of governance and democracy. It is a crucial part of the decision making process and it ensures that the government is held accountable for its actions. However, with the sudden decision to prorogue Parliament amidst much ongoing and unresolved parliamentary business, the government is essentially silencing voices of opposition. What does this say about Canada’s democracy? Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Friday, January 8th, 2010 - 12:00PM
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Affordable housing is an issue gaining critical attention at municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.
Ontario’s Auditor General criticized Ontario’s affordable housing initiatives in his report, released December 7, 2009. The report called for an effective strategy to assess the risks, costs and potential contributions of investing in affordable housing in Ontario.
By Rebekah Sears | Thursday, January 7th, 2010 - 3:17PM
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On December 9, 2009 the House of Common Standing Committee on Finance tabled its sixth report for 2009 in Parliament, A Prosperous and Sustainable Future for Canada: Needed Federal Actions. Based on approximately six months of committee consultations with a variety of organizations and individuals across Canada, including Citizens for Public Justice, this report aims to inform the government during the drafting of the 2010 budget.
Despite the cautious outlook on government spending voiced by the committee, several of the recommendations in the report call for further spending and adjustments in a variety of areas, including childcare, employment insurance, and affordable housing. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 - 2:23PM
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On December 14, 2009, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released its first report on the progress of the province’s poverty reduction strategy: Empowering People - Engaging Community - Enabling Success. Just two and a half years after the strategy began the results reveal significant improvement concerning levels of poverty. Read more »
In the fall of 2009, Canada’s Governor General hosted an opening ceremony for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on Indian Residential Schools. Canadian churches, with or without a heritage of Residential schools, all people of faith, and all people in Canada are implicated the legacy of the Residential schools. As the Prime Minister’s apology (June 11, 2008) implies, the Residential Schools and the assimilation policies behind them, are a shameful part of the history of this nation. That apology is our apology. If the words of apology and new relationship are to mean something they demand action – and the TRC is a significant first step in that direction. Read more »
The Prime Minister sent our MPs home to recalibrate the government agenda. The break was 20 workdays, he said.
Happy 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. 
Open debate is essential within Canada’s system of governance and democracy. It is a crucial part of the decision making process and it ensures that the government is held accountable for its actions. However, with the sudden decision to prorogue Parliament amidst much ongoing and unresolved parliamentary business, the government is essentially silencing voices of opposition. What does this say about Canada’s democracy? 
