Public Justice and Advocacy

At CPJ, we believe that we are called to bear God’s image by loving our neighbours, practicing justice and compassion, and by acting as stewards of creation. We also believe that, as God’s image-bearers, all people are created to live in dignity.

The Bible tells us in Micah 6:8 what God requires of us: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Throughout the Bible, the well-being of the most vulnerable—orphans and widows—is used as a barometer of justice for a society. Looking at the state of such populations, we can measure Canada’s success in following this call.

Public justice means promoting the well-being of the vulnerable in all aspects of life together—as neighbours, as churches, in non-governmental organizations, through community groups, and in government. Living out this call includes being active, engaged citizens—getting to know our elected officials, staying informed, and advocating for just policies.

To advocate simply means “to plead in favour of.” This means speaking to those in power in order to influence decisions in the political sphere. It means speaking for the marginalized and the poor, who often lack influence. It is an opportunity to pursue a just society that reflects God’s kingdom. It means thoughtful citizenship, engagement in public policy debates, and dialoguing with elected officials about issues of justice.

As citizens of a democracy, we have the power to make a difference in the policies and actions of our government. Our political leaders have a responsibility to listen to the will of the people, and each of us has the responsibility to express our views through active citizenship. This means staying informed, voicing our opinions, and working for justice wherever possible.

For a more in-depth look at public justice, see our document Public Justice: What does it mean for citizens, governments, and CPJ?