Election 2008 Ola! - Week Five

Welcome

Welcome to this special election edition of Ola! While Ola! is usually sent out once per month, during this election campaign, we at CPJ will be sending out weekly editions. These special Ola!s will go in-depth on pressing election topics, giving you comprehensive background information, provoking questions to ask your candidates, and much more.

Be sure to visit our website www.cpj.ca for updates on other public justice issues throughout the campaign! You can also download our election bulletin [PDF 116kB].

Election 2008: A Public Justice Vision for Canada

Throughout this election campaign, many issues have competed for our attention in the media and in local ridings across Canada. But it can be difficult to gain a wider perspective as to how these individual issues are connected and form a larger picture of the kind of society in which we live. By asking ourselves what kind of vision we have for our country, we can identify the common values that underlie current policies, and how they may be changed for the better. A public justice vision of Canada seeks justice and compassion within social relationships, promotes care for creation, and reflects God’s call for love, justice and stewardship. By asking ourselves, our friends, and our neighbours what kind of vision we have for our country, we can be challenged to vote according to our values and in support of a better Canada. Read more…

A Just Economy in Troubled Times

Recent events have made the economy a significant issue. How our leaders will handle the economy is an important issue for all Canadians, but especially low income Canadians who could suffer most from an economic downturn. As Canadian citizens, we should be actively engaged in ensuring that the economy and its impact on all Canadians is addressed by our government representatives. It is crucial to know that the leaders we elect have a plan to protect the impoverished and those who are most vulnerable. Read more…

Election 2008: What Happened to Health Care?

There are approximately 4.1 million people in Canada that do not have a family doctor, and countless more that have experienced barriers to accessing quality health care. Public justice calls us to care for the vulnerable and marginalized in our society and question barriers that prevent people from having equal access to basic needs. The quality of our health care system impacts nearly every Canadian at some point in their lives and the subject of health care deserves serious attention from our political leaders. During this election campaign, ask your candidate how they intend to ensure health care is free and accessible for all Canadians. Read more…

Justice for Refugees: Fighting the Safe Third Country Agreement

The Safe Third Country Agreement has been a key issue for churches and refugee support groups over the past few years. Although a coalition is asking the Supreme Court to review the Agreement, no political party has specifically addressed the Agreement during this campaign. CPJ offers this update by Andrew Brouwer, former CPJ staffer and current refugee lawyer. Read more…

Afghanistan: Overcoming the Diplomacy Deficit

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan has been recently affirmed by both UN officials and Canada’s new Chief of Defence Staff. And solutions to this deterioration will not be found by simply using military might to stop conflict. Rather, any reconciliation efforts will have to reach beyond warring parties to promote regional cooperation, inter-communal dialogue at the national level, local reconciliation initiatives, and sustained education programs in support of a culture of peace. Read more…

Global Poverty Forgotten in Election 2008

Canadians prefer to see themselves as global citizens. Thus it comes as a real surprise, and a shameful wake up call, to realize that Canada is actually a laggard in action and in spending on international development. Canada could and should do much better. Election 2008 should be a moment to expand global citizenship among Canadians. Read more…

Public justice questions

Keep these public justice questions in mind as you ask yourself what kind of vision you have for Canada, and question your candidates about theirs:

• Does this initiative take care for creation seriously?
• Does this initiative promote the economic, physical and social well-being of all Canadians?
• Does this initiative play off short term economic gain against the environment of future generations?
• Does this initiative emphasize the common good or particular interests?
• Does this initiative encourage Canadians (individuals, businesses, organizations) to change our behaviours?
• Is this initiative regressive – that is, does it impact poor people more? If so, are there steps that will be taken to offset the regressive impact?

Links to more information

Election links
No one organization has expertise in all issues, so to appreciate what other groups are suggesting Canadians consider during this election, please visit our webpage of links to other organizations.

Our Election Website offers more articles that consider important election issues and offer questions to consider and discuss with your family, friends, and electoral candidates.

Party websites
Looking for party websites? Want to explore party platforms on health care, Afghanistan or the economy? Looking for more information on the policy announcements of the last week of the campaign? Links to the websites of all of the parties hoping to run at least 50 candidates in this election can be found in our Canadian Elections section.

For all at CPJ, Mariel Angus. Visit our website www.cpj.ca for an in-depth look at other issues, complete with provoking questions to ask your candidates. Let us know what you think of our mini election Ola!s by emailing us at cpj@cpj.ca – we’ll return to our regular Ola! schedule after the election wraps up.