Ola! January 2009

Welcome to the January 2009 Ola!

We’ve rung in the New Year – and much lies ahead! With the Speech from the Throne and the budget just around the corner, we’re all waiting to see what political manoeuvring will follow.

Political drama aside, here at CPJ we’re excited about what 2009 holds. We’re kicking off the year with several poverty reduction workshops, and look forward to engaging with you over the coming months. Together we can continue to speak out for justice throughout the year.

Poverty advocacy workshops

The federal budget is just around the corner – but it is unlikely that a strategy to address poverty will be a major element. So what can we, as citizens, do?

Join CPJ later this week as we explore poverty in Canada at three workshops held in Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto and Whitby, Ontario. In the workshops, we will examine poverty from the perspective of human dignity, explore a federal poverty reduction strategy, and offer empowering ways that you can engage with your government and involve your faith community as we work to build a poverty-free Canada.

Details:

1. Kitchener-Waterloo: Thursday, January 22, from 7:00 to 9:30pm, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 825 King Street, West. This event is being co-hosted by the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition.
2. Toronto: Friday, January 23 from 1:30 to 3:30pm at Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square. This event is being co-hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto.
3. Whitby: Saturday, January 24 from 10am to 12:30pm, at Hebron Christian Reformed Church, 4240 Anderson Street. This event is being co-hosted by the deacons of Hebron Church.

For more information, contact Mariel Angus at 1-800-667-8046 ext. 229 or mariel@cpj.ca.

A public justice vision for 2009

“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” the writer of Proverbs tells us (Proverbs 29:18). These seem like apt words for today.

While the start of a new year usually holds great promise, 2009 is not looking so bright. As an economic downturn descends upon us, everyone is waiting to see what will happen next.

We await the government’s response to the economic crisis, which will be announced in the Speech from the Throne and the budget at the end of January. We also wait to see which political party or parties will be in government following these announcements.

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 a year in which our political parties work together to achieve the common good. 2009 can be an opportunity for public justice. Read more…

CPJ’s Alternative Speech from the Throne

On January 26, the Governor General will read her second Speech from the Throne in less than three months. Here’s our alternative Speech from the Throne, what we’d like to see read in the Senate chambers on Jan. 26: “The holiday season allowed all Canadians and our Government to reflect more deeply on the challenges we face as a nation and how we can best act together to meet them.

“We have learned that our well-being is linked to others, so we need to work together. We have learned that putting our faith in the marketplace alone will not solve our needs. We have learned that governing is not a game for scoring points. Responsible government is essential for a healthy marketplace, a productive society, and for Canada’s future.” Read more…

Budget 2009 consultations

In a letter to Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, CPJ calls on the government to present a "visionary stimulus package" as part of the Federal Budget anticipated for January 27, 2009.The stimulus package should include a federal poverty reduction strategy and other measures designed to limit unemployment and strengthen the stability of families, create a more ecologically sensitive infrastructure, and construct a fairer and more secure global economy. Along with the letter, CPJ provided the Minister with a copy of our pre-budget brief to the Finance Committee. Read more…

Government stimulus must first remember those who have not

CPJ executive director Joe Gunn's monthly column entitled “Journey to Justice” appears in the Western Catholic Reporter and the Prairie Messenger. An excerpt from his December column is below.

It seems there is only one sure thing in Ottawa: whichever government survives in 2009 will spend into deficit to help Canadians weather the economic downturn.

Only two months ago an election was held, during which every political party denounced the very intention of deficit spending. After their victory the Conservative government went to Washington for the meeting of the G20 countries, and Ottawa then promised to join the largest economies of the world in spending our way out of the financial crisis — offering at least two per cent of Canada’s wealth as economic stimulus. Worldwide, some $7.6 trillion has already been directed to this end.

Politicians speak of cutting corporate tax rates, bailing out the automotive and other industries and propping up the financial giants. Are these the best, or only, options?

How can government best invest in order to help Canadians now, while creating the basis for a greener, more secure and just future? Read more…

Web features

Along with our alternative Speech from the Throne, we’ve been busy writing numerous web features. Check out our most recent features below – and be sure to check the CPJ blog, updated throughout the week!

It’s not the Stanley Cup

Recent events on Parliament Hill have revealed a deep problem: far too many Canadians are unfamiliar with our system of government. In our Westminster parliamentary tradition, no one is elected as the government. Unlike the Stanley Cup, government is not a trophy to be handed over at the end of a long contest. Any government must therefore have the confidence of the House of Commons, and coalition governments are perfectly legal. The recent political events underline the unfairness of a party with a minority of votes having 100% of the power to set the parliamentary agenda and suggest the need for electoral reform. Read more…

Loving thy neighbour: A biblical call to end poverty

Poverty is an unnecessary injustice, for God created a world with abundant resources to use for sustaining healthy and dignified lives.The cause of poverty does not lie in the availability of resources and capital, but in the scarcity of practices such as stewardship and neighbourly love. Read more…

A deeper look at GLI: Can we pay people to do nothing?

In our previous web feature on guaranteed livable income, we looked at whether the only thing that motivates people to work is money. This time, we explore the second issue: is it okay to let people live in poverty if they don’t work? Or, as the question is more commonly framed, is it right to pay people to do nothing? Read more…

On Dignity

Worth. Honour. Respect.

These terms are all included in the Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary definition of dignity. Several others could easily be added: integrity, virtue, self-esteem, independence, pride, strength.

Dignity. It the basis for who we are as human beings and it is the foundation of international human rights agreements. But how does it translate into our daily lives? Read more…

Public justice internship 2009/2010 – apply now!

Are you passionate about public justice? Star-struck by stewardship? Concerned for creation? If you answered yes to these questions and are eager to join CPJ in Ottawa, our public justice policy internship may be for you.

The internship gives a recent graduate the chance to participate in CPJ’s public policy work through research, contributing to policy papers, and meeting with politicians and leaders in society. The intern will be an important part of CPJ’s team, with opportunities to write articles for our newsletter and to participate in our advocacy work.

The application is due March 16th at 9am. If you’re looking for more information, visit our website www.cpj.ca or email jobs@cpj.ca.

International Development Week – February 1-7

In 2005, the House of Commons passed a groundbreaking resolution, calling on the government to increase international development assistance to 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015. However, over the past two years, assistance spending has fallen from 0.33% to 0.28%. Budget 2009 will have to establish a timetable of iron-clad increases of 15% to ensure aid reaches our promised goal by 2017.

International development week is a great opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about Canada’s role overseas and about developing countries. Visit the Canadian International Development Agency’s website for more information. But it’s also a good time to remind our government of their commitment to increasing international development assistance. Write your MP a letter, learn about other countries in need of aid, and remember our commitment to helping the vulnerable worldwide.

Justice Camp 2009

If you’re in Nova Scotia and PEI, consider joining the Anglican Diocese of these provinces for Justice Camp 2009. Held August 9-15, 2009 for those aged 18+, the week will focus on poverty, reflecting upon it through biblical study and prayer.

The week will begin with an introductory two days in Halifax, with participants then spreading out across Nova Scotia and PEI for hands-on experiences exploring issues like poverty, homelessness and unemployment. Participants will head back to Halifax at the end of the week to report, reflect and share their experiences of the past few days.

Interested? Spots for this unique experience will fill up fast – be sure to visit the Justice Camp website for more information, or contact Andy Sherin at asherin [at] ncf.ca or Katie Puxley at keturah.jane [at] gmail.com.

A blessing

Unsettling God,
Dizzy us with your vision,
May we craft our living
With realized mercies
And unfashionable hope.

Transformed by your message,
May we disrupt idolatrous norms
With the vigor of justice
And the plain language of faith.

Resolute in your embrace,
May we form new foundations
With the endurance of love
And a passion for grace.

Keri Wehlander, Canada. As found in 600 Blessings and Prayers from around the world, compiled by Geoffrey Duncan. Twenty-third Publications, 2000, pp 113.

For all at CPJ, Karen Diepeveen. Blessings in this new year – we’ll see you in February!