Ola! January 2010

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.

A New Year’s resolution for all readers of Ola!

Many among us might have heaved a sigh of relief to see 2009 end – with the global economy in difficulty, a fractious Parliament becoming unstable, and scant action taken to address key concerns like poverty eradication, peace and climate change.

Yet, here at CPJ, the dawning of a new year brings optimism and renewed enthusiasm for the promotion of public justice. More than ever, the challenge is before us to provide leadership in the faith-filled work for social change to benefit our vulnerable neighbours and the Earth.

In the last six months, more than 4,200 individuals have signed their support to the Dignity for All campaign including over 30 Members of Parliament. Over 270 groups have also made their commitment known. This is an encouraging beginning to one of CPJ’s major priorities for 2010, a year when we will continue to build and deepen public support to eradicate poverty in spite of the economic downturn.

CPJ continues to attract interest in our research and advocacy work, especially among young people. We are mentoring four interns who are providing energizing research on legal, theological and economic issues in support of our efforts. We will deepen our work on diversity issues and sustainability in 2010. In this issue of Ola! you can read about some of the new opportunities ahead – please make support for CPJ’s public justice work one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2010!

Read more about CPJ’s vision for 2010.

Senate Committee releases major report on poverty

In December 2009, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Cities released, In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. In a press conference on the report, Senator Art Eggleton, Committee Chair, stated that Canada’s system of lifting people out of poverty is substantially broken and needs to be fixed.

This extensive report is based on a two-year cross-country study involving more than 170 witnesses. The numerous recommendations it contains are all based on the premise that social policy in Canada should help lift people out of poverty. Senator Eggleton and Deputy Chair of the Subcommittee, Senator Hugh Segal, emphasized that responding to poverty is not only a moral imperative but that it makes good economic sense. It is interesting to note references in the report to “poverty eradication” and the necessity to “act now” – language that is consistent with ours and that of our partners. While the situation of poverty in Canada is devastating, the comprehensiveness of this report and the strength of its recommendations are exciting and encouraging. Read more…

2010, a year of partnerships

We are very excited here at CPJ to begin a new year building partnerships, connecting with supporters, and cultivating new members from across Canada. We anticipate that 2010 will be an important year of partnerships for CPJ – a number of exciting public education and outreach strategies are already underway. We will be travelling more this year, creating more opportunities for our members and others, to share and learn about public justice in communities across the country. CPJ will also be providing more resources to our supporters and the Christian community as they endeavour to learn more and speak out for public justice.

Throughout the year, CPJ members are invited to become active supporters in new and exciting ways. Please stay tuned to our website and Ola! for information about upcoming opportunities and events. You are encouraged to come out and enjoy fellowship with us and our many national supporters. We look forward to connecting with you in 2010!

CPJ questions cuts to KAIROS – Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

CPJ has written to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to request that the federal government reconsider its decision to discontinue funding for KAIROS – Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. Funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to KAIROS’ international programs was used to support 21 grassroots groups working for social justice and human rights, and to facilitate development education in Canada. On November 30th, KAIROS learned that its proposal for $7 million over three years was turned down, even though CIDA had previously funded these programs of the Canadian churches for over 30 years. The explanation given was that the proposal did not meet CIDA’s criteria. The CPJ letter raised the Board’s concern that the cut could be part of a trend to discontinue funding to groups which raise questions about government policies.

Budget 2010 consultations: Have your say

The presentation of the 2010 federal budget will be one of the first actions of the government when Parliament resumes in March. With a significant deficit on the books and claims that “the recession is over,” Canadians have been told to expect major spending cuts. These cuts will likely impact most departments, slashing funding to many government programs. As is often the case, those least able to bear the impact will be most adversely effected. Many social assistance programs are already in serious need of expansion. Major cuts will only make the situation worse.

The rationale, of course, is that the 2009 budget decisions that led to the deficit served to simulate the Canadian economy. Unfortunately, most of the benefits did not reach the most vulnerable Canadians. Budget 2009 did not mention poverty, let alone contain any plans to develop a poverty elimination strategy – despite the worsening conditions brought on by the recession.

Budget decisions are moral decisions: they reveal our values, affect how resources are allocated, and shape our common future. As the government prepares Budget 2010 (to be delivered March 4, 2010) they are asking Canadians to provide feedback on last year’s stimulus and suggestions for this year. Please encourage the government to use Budget 2010 to build an economy of care. Have your say at the Department of Finance website.

For more information, read CPJ’s complete response to Budget 2009, our brief to the Finance Committee, and Rebekah’s blog.

The Dish on Dignity: A Discussion about Eradicating Poverty in Canada

On Monday, February 1 from 6:30 to 9:00pm, the Dignity for All campaign is hosting "The Dish on Dignity" at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (82 Kent Street, Ottawa, on the corner of Wellington across from the Supreme Court). People in poverty, social justice advocates and politicians will come together to continue the dialogue, share and learn with one another, and deepen our commitment to combat poverty in Canada. Speakers for the evening are Alex Neve (Amnesty International), Joan Jessome (Nova Scotia Government Employees Union) and Dean Allison (Conservative MP who last year chaired the House of Commons’ HUMA Committee through its hearings on the federal role on poverty). MPs Mike Savage (Liberal), Tony Martin (NDP) and Yves Lessard (Bloc) as well as Rebecca Harrison (Green Party of Canada representative) will also offer brief remarks.

Registration is free for low-income persons, $25 or what you can contribute for social justice representatives, and $25 for politicians, political staff and civil servants. Social justice representatives are asked to assume the role of table moderator or table note-taker at the table where each representative is to be placed. The final deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 27. If you are able and interested in attending this event, please contact Canada Without Poverty.

Please join us for coffee, dessert, and a discussion of dignity for all Canadians. We look forward to seeing you there!

Congratulations, Murray Angus!

Long-time CPJ member, monthly donor and former Board member, Murray Angus, has been awarded the Order of Canada. This honour was announced at year’s end, for Murray’s contributions to building awareness and respect for Canada’s Native people and their traditions, especially for the role he has played in empowering Inuit youth as founder of Nunavut Sivuniksavut. This college program for Inuit youth brings high school graduates from Nunavut to Ottawa for an eight-month program that prepares them for post-secondary studies and career opportunities while also teaching them Nunavut's history, politics and culture. Murray also deserves recognition as the father of last year’s CPJ Intern, Mariel Angus. CPJ extends our congratulations to the entire Angus family, as well as all who have worked on the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program!

More Congratulations...

Of course, Murray Angus is not the first, nor the only CPJ member to receive the Order of Canada. Former staff persons Gerald Vandezande and Janet Somerville have both also been recipients of this honour. Speaking of Gerald, he is doing well in spite of some health issues, which most recently included trouble with his eyesight caused by one of his medications. He finds his daily walk a helpful antidote to his maladies. Staying as determined as ever to support CPJ and its work, Gerald has been named Honourary President of the June Callwood Campaign Against Child Poverty. Congratulations, Gerald!

CPJ opportunity: Policy Intern position

For the last several years, CPJ has been able to offer a keen university graduate the chance to work for a year as a Policy Intern with our seasoned team of researchers and advocates. Located a half-dozen blocks from Parliament Hill, CPJ has provided this is unique, hands-on opportunity to experience work in the voluntary sector and engage with federal decision-makers. Visit the CPJ website for application details. This position commences in September 2010.

Community Justice Camp: Live the Change you want to see, May 9-14, 2010

In August 2009, policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn participated in “Poverty Justice Camp” and was blessed by a week of intense experiences and reflections on poverty, charity, and justice. An initiative of the Anglican Church of Canada, Justice Camp espouses the principles of local leadership, experiential learning, prophetic engagement, diversity in participation, and the expertise of participants. Community Justice Camp will be hosted by the Diocese of Niagara in Hamilton, Ontario and will bring together a diverse group of people of faith to share, worship, grow, and learn about justice together. The theme of community development was chosen building on the foundation laid by four prior justice camps, which examined food security, advocacy, the environment, and poverty. CPJ is pleased to be participating as a panelist this year. For more information, or to register, go to the Justice Camp website.

An affordable housing project that works

Last fall, policy intern Rebekah Sears conducted research on an affordable housing project initiated by St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Over Christmas break she was able to visit the project and meet some of the people involved, including a few tenants and Rev. Doug Moore.

When the congregation of St. Matthew was in need of significant structural renovations, they decided to use this as an opportunity to reach out to the community. Partnering with New Brunswick’s Department of Social Development, they built a facility which, in addition to a new space for worship, contained 45 units of affordable housing.

Rev. Moore took Rebekah on a tour of the facility and she was welcomed by one of the tenants into their home. It is a very nice, modern facility with well laid-out units, containing all the basic necessities and more. Most importantly this facility gives tenants, many of whom were previously living in shelters, a home of their own and a sense of dignity.

For more information on this project, see Rebekah’s original blog post or visit the church website.

Web Features

Human rights, prorogation, and the legacy of residential schools. These are just a few of the themes that CPJ has explored in recent web features. Read on for more.

Towards a Just and Sustainable Society

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…

Is prorogation diminishing Canada’s democracy?

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…

Drinking Downstream

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…

An opportunity for fresh action on human rights

Human rights are often defined in terms of political and civil liberties. However, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed 61 years ago this December, also includes economic and social rights. As the world attempts to recover from the impacts of a global economic crisis, the need for protection of such rights is greater than ever. Such need has prompted individuals and organizations in Canada and abroad to pressure governments to get involved, creating opportunities for fresh action in the promotion of human rights. Read more…

For everyone here at CPJ, Karri Munn-Venn. Wishing all of our readers a blessed 2010.