Ola! June 2010

This month, we at CPJ are excited about a major new development in the fight against poverty!

Please consider supporting us to help us continue this vital work in Ottawa.

Welcome to the June edition of Ola!, the e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice.

Poverty Elimination Act tabled in House of Commons

An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada was tabled in the House of Commons last week. The private member’s bill, drafted by New Democratic Member of Parliament Tony Martin, was seconded by Mike Savage of the Liberal Party and Yves Lessard of the Bloc Québécois. The bill mandates the creation of a federal poverty elimination strategy.

CPJ has long advocated for a poverty elimination strategy as the most important way in which the federal government could contribute to ending poverty in Canada. In fact, a strategy is the second goal of the Dignity for All campaign, which CPJ co-founded last year with Canada Without Poverty. CPJ was pleased to participate in several consultations while the bill was being developed.

Policy analyst Chandra Pasma spoke at the press conference announcing the new bill on June 16, expressing CPJ’s support for the legislation and our hope that cross-partisan support will continue until the bill is adopted by the House of Commons and Senate.

For more information on the bill and to see videos of the press conference, check out Chandra’s blog post.

CPJ AGM – May 27

On May 27, over 40 CPJ members, board and staff gathered at Dominion-Chalmers United Church for CPJ’s 2010 Annual General Meeting. Led by board Chair Kathy Vandergrift, the meeting included reports from Executive Director Joe Gunn and board Treasurer Frederick Wind.

New board members Dwayne Hodgson (Ottawa, ON), John Murphy (Canning, NS), Will Postma (Toronto, ON), and Ericka Stephens-Rennie (Ottawa, ON) were affirmed. Frederick Wind (Whitby, ON) was affirmed for a second term on the board.

Following a time of refreshment and conversation, Richard Shillington, a policy analyst with Informetrica presented on Recession, Recovery and Poverty: Is the End Near? Shillington described the shrinking social safety net in Canada and the need to create a more just and equitable society. CPJ’s socio-economic policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn offered a response to these issues from a faith perspective, illustrating the call to faithful action.

The evening was a great opportunity to share ideas and connect with new and long-time CPJ supporters.

For more on Richard and Karri’s presentations, see our web feature.

Board meeting update

CPJ’s board met in Ottawa on May 27-29. In a few short days together, the board accomplished a great deal, approving a new work plan for program work, discussing child care and ecological justice, approving a new fundraising strategy and forming a Capital Campaign committee. The board also received updates on the implementation of CPJ’s strategic plan and the Dignity for All campaign.

The board also elected a new executive. Mark Huyser-Wierenga of Edmonton, AB is the new Chair; Jim Joosse of Edmonton, AB continues on as CPJ’s Vice Chair; Jake Kuiken of Calgary, AB is the new Secretary; Frederick Wind of Whitby, ON continues on as the Treasurer; and Sheila McKinley of Chatham, ON is the new liaison with the program committee.

As part of the board meetings, thanks were expressed to outgoing members for their passion and dedication.

Kathy Vandergrift served tirelessly as CPJ’s Vice Chair and Chair, as well as participating in the program advisory committee. Kathy brought in-depth policy expertise to CPJ from her experience working for NGOs and from within government to create change.

Emily Hutten offered CPJ her creative talents by writing the beautiful prayer, Dignity for All, in support of CPJ’s poverty eradication efforts. Emily also provided an important perspective on CPJ’s work from her grassroots work with street kids in Halifax, NS.

Maria Paez-Victor brought enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and a tireless dedication to justice to her involvement in the program advisory committee.

Nick Van Dyk oversaw a difficult financial period as CPJ’s Treasurer, supporting CPJ’s financial development through his role on the Finance Committee.

Thanks to the service of these out-going board members, public justice has been advanced in Canada through CPJ! Thanks also to Frederick Wind of Whitby, ON, who was welcomed into his second term on the board.

Building community at Justice Camp 2010

Socio-economic policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn and public justice intern Rebekah Sears went to camp this spring – Community Justice Camp in Hamilton, that is. An initiative of the Anglican Church of Canada, Justice Camp brings together people from across Canada to learn from each other about the work of justice. The theme of this year’s Justice Camp, held from May 8-14, was community. Through immersion groups and activities on issues including housing, poverty, coalition building and the environment, participants were encouraged to build community and solidarity.

Karri began the very first session with a presentation emphasizing the need for community building as part of our work for justice and charity. Karri then spent the week with the housing group, while Rebekah was with the environmental justice group. Both were able to share a lot about CPJ’s work with their group members and both came to new understandings of the importance of community in our pursuit of justice.

For more information, check out our web feature and Rebekah’s blog post.

Rental housing and human rights

On June 3, public justice intern Rebekah Sears attended an information session on rental housing and human rights, hosted by the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation and Amnesty International Canada. Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall and policy analyst Cherie Robertson from the Ontario Human Rights Commission were guest speakers.

The presentation outlined the Human Rights Commission’s official policy regarding discrimination in rental housing. The Commission focused their policy on rental housing because lower income people tend to be renters and not home owners. This policy puts specific standards that reflect Ontario’s Human Rights Code into writing, recognizing that it is important for both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities.

For more information on the seminar see Rebekah’s blog post.

CPJ supports Bill C-304

Canadians might be surprised to learn that Canada is the only major developed country that is without a national housing strategy. CPJ wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in early June to request that the federal government support Bill C-304, (“An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians”). CPJ believes that a pan-Canadian housing strategy is a core element of the comprehensive poverty elimination plan that this country urgently needs. Bill C-304, a private member’s bill proposed by Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, has passed second reading and been reviewed by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The bill could be voted on as early as this fall. At the moment, it is not clear whether there will be enough support in the House of Commons to pass third reading. Read CPJ’s letter.

CPJ research impacts policy debate

Last month, CPJ released a report on the impact of the recession in Canada, Bearing the Brunt: How the 2008-2009 Recession Created Poverty for Canadian Families. Since then, the report has received commendations from colleague organizations including Canada Without Poverty, Make Poverty History, Campaign 2000, the Canadian Council on Social Development and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

The report has been referenced numerous times in the House of Commons, including two questions during Question Period and in debates on the budget implementation bill, Tax Conventions Implementation Act, Employment Insurance for military families, and fairness at the gas pumps.

CPJ’s research also received good media coverage, with a story on Global National TV, and pieces in the Toronto Star, Vancouver Province, Fredericton Daily Gleaner, New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, and the Charlottetown Guardian as well as online coverage at Straight Goods and The Mark News. The Charlottetown Guardian also cited CPJ’s report in an editorial calling for an anti-poverty strategy for PEI.

Please support CPJ

As an Ola! subscriber, your support for CPJ over many years has enabled CPJ to become a strong public justice voice in Ottawa and across this country – a voice that is too important to be diminished. The need to remind government and the public that rising hunger and homelessness are, in part, related to public policies is as vital as ever. While we need to support the good work of food banks and shelters, we cannot ignore the deeper structural issues that governments have the ability and responsibility to address.

In a time of economic despair for many, CPJ is making a difference. We just released our research report called Bearing the Brunt: How the 2008-2009 Recession Created Poverty for Canadian Families. It has been praised for its thoroughness and timeliness. As noted above, it has drawn national attention in both the House of Commons and in the media.

The message is getting out and your support is allowing CPJ to make an impact!

But the blessings of this work and the dreams for even greater justice are dependent on your financial good will. You are part of an amazing movement that allows CPJ to carry on, not only with anti-poverty work, but also efforts towards an economy of care, pluralism, the environment and justice for all.

Please reaffirm your commitment to public justice by making a donation to CPJ at this time. And please consider making your yearly contribution to CPJ today!

To lend your voice to CPJ’s work or to make an important contribution, visit www.cpj.ca/support

Web features

Justice and community, statistics and stories, change and hope, confrontation or consultation: these are just a few of the themes that we’ve explored in recent web features. For even more insightful comments from CPJ, check out our blog!

Charity and justice need community

Several years ago, at a Bible study at my church, I was introduced to “the two feet of social justice.” This is a framing of Christian outreach that encourages action that goes beyond direct service to “those in need.” On the one foot are acts of charity: donating used clothing to a shelter, serving at the “Out of the Cold” dinner, and otherwise responding to the direct physical needs of the poor and marginalized. On the other foot are justice initiatives, actions aimed at changing the structures that impede people living out their God-given potential: citizen engagement, awareness-raising, political action and advocacy. The underlying notion is that both feet are required to move forward in the pursuit of social justice. Read more...

Sharing our justice journey in community

Community –be it geographic, experience-based, or otherwise –is central in our pursuit of social justice. At Justice Camp we had the opportunity to be among a wonderful group of justice advocates from across the country to learn, share, and grow together as we explored how to discern and interpret local needs in a way that leads to charity, justice, and a strong and healthy community for all. Read more...

Fighting poverty with the help of statistics and stories

Our work at CPJ is to bring change through government policies. The personal stories inspire and speak strongly to the Biblical foundations of the call to promote justice. But so do the statistics, because they highlight potential policy options for promoting dignity for all Canadians. At CPJ's Annual General Meeting on May 27, 2010, Richard Shillington, from Informetrica and CPJ's Karri Munn-Venn looked at the statistics and stories that motivate us to continue our work to end poverty in Canada and promote dignity for everyone. Read more...

Moving beyond “we’re sorry” to a legacy of change and hope

June 11 marks the second anniversary of the Canadian Government’s apology for the Indian Residential Schools. But an apology by itself is not enough. Forgiveness, reconciliation and the restoration of broken relationships requires a change in behaviour: repentance. In recent months, there have been more promises and actions to restore relations with Aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada. But is it enough? Taking responsibility for the past can and should inspire significant and lasting change for the future –building a new legacy of change and hope. Read more...

Part VI – A deeper look at GLI: How does responsibility fit in?

One popular view of poverty is that it is a matter of individual responsibility. From this perspective, income security programs like Guaranteed Livable Income reward irresponsible behaviour. However, this view fails to account for the complex reality of modern poverty and the high proportion of working poor in Canada. This understanding of responsibility also lacks context since the reality is that everyone is interdependent. Recognizing this interdependency should lead us to a more holistic, communitarian sense of well-being. Read more...

Confrontation or consultation? It’s up to Parliament

A short but fractious parliamentary session ended last week. Rancorous in tone and highlighted by disputes over the democratic rights of Parliament and its committees, the session produced little legislative achievements. However, two examples demonstrate that Canada’s political parties are capable of cooperating effectively when they choose to. A collaborative, consultative approach by parties willing to compromise for the sake of the common good would benefit all Canadians and promote a more vibrant, engaged democracy. The choice is up to parliamentarians themselves. Read more…

Spring 2010 Catalyst and book reviews

Our latest Catalyst hit the stands a few weeks ago – and we’re pleased to offer the complete newsletter online! This issue not only has our usual in-depth articles, it has book reviews on subjects ranging from a sustainable economy to ecological justice to living as Christians in contemporary society. Check out the individual articles below, or see the Catalyst in its full format.

• Policy analyst Chandra Pasma explores the impact of the recent recession on poverty trends in Canada in Bearing the Brunt: Recession Increases Poverty Rate in Canada. Chandra highlights how rising social assistance caseloads, inadequate Employment Insurance and cost of living that outstripped inflation contributed to rising poverty and economic insecurity in Canada.
• Executive Director Joe Gunn explains why Public Justice Must Include Climate Justice, arguing that climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.
• Gregory Baum describes The Debate Over Religious Pluralism in Quebec, offering several reasons why the debate has differed in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
• Socio-economic policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn reflects on the first year of the Dignity for All campaign and describes the inspiration generated by the Dish on Dignity: A Discussion about Eradicating Poverty in Canada in Dignity for All Celebrates Tremendous Success in First Year!
• Public justice intern Rebekah Sears looks at the proposed changes to the refugee system, questioning whether they emphasize Fast at the Expense of Fair? Rebekah notes several conditions the proposed changes need to meet in order to ensure the system remains fair.
• Sister Maureen Wild, SC, asks how we can honour what God creates in Birthing a New Ethic for Ecological Justice. Sister Maureen highlights how our survival depends on choosing life for all creation.

Summer book reviews

• Kathy Vandergrift reviews The Spirit Level, suggesting that greater equality is actually one of the greatest protectors of liberty and the means to a sustainable economy.
• Karri Munn-Venn appreciates David Korten’s inspiring vision of the possible in The Great Turning.
• Joe Gunn suggests that Hope in an Age of Despair is one of those books that you want to keep close by forever.
• Rebekah Sears considers who we are for Jesus, today, in her review of Making the Best of It by John G. Stackhouse.
• Sheila McKinley, osu, read Beauty, Wonder and Belonging: A Book of Hours for the Monastery of the Cosmos, appreciating the book’s aid in reflecting prayerfully each day.

Love Poems to God

(I, 59)

God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

For all at CPJ, Chandra Pasma. Have a safe and wonderful summer, and we’ll see you again next month!