Ola! March 2010

Welcome to the March issue of Ola!, the monthly e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. Spring has come early to the nation’s capital, and as the snow has disappeared, the days have grown longer, and Parliament has resumed after a two month prorogation, there’s a new energy in our work for justice. Join us as we speak out for change and call our governments to live out public justice.

CPJ Federal Budget analysis

Citizens for Public Justice is disappointed that Budget 2010, announced on March 4, stays the course. Economic stimulus is necessary, but so too are specific measures to address poverty and inequality. The recession has had a tremendous impact on Canadians. Job losses and a faltering safety net have added hundreds of thousands of people to the population of Canadians living in poverty. Economic stimulus and deficit spending are most certainly required to confront this vulnerability. Measures to create and sustain jobs and to build a strong and healthy country are needed. But this cannot be done at the expense of those on the margins, excluded from mainstream society. To learn more, read our federal Budget analysis, Whither Decency and Generosity? Budget 2010 falls short by staying the course.

Easter appeal: CPJ needs your support

Spring is here and with spring we witness growth and new life in God’s creation. Spring also is a time at CPJ when we ramp up our programming schedules in anticipation of meeting our goals and achieving successful program outcomes. This year, we are extremely excited about the growth of support for the Dignity for All campaign. We are also excited about the new Worship Resource book that will be published this fall and distributed to church congregations throughout Canada. And we are currently interviewing applicants for the next CPJ Public Justice Intern who will begin working with us this fall.

However, this spring CPJ needs your support as we try to overcome an unexpected decrease in donations in 2009 due to the economic downturn. With an added support of $50 from each of our members, we can overcome this shortfall immediately and we will be able to continue achieving our programming goals. We have had to revolutionize the way we work, becoming more productive with fewer resources. Please, re-commit to CPJ’s mission and work and help ensure a legacy for the work of CPJ.

CPJ in Vancouver

In early March, CPJ Membership and Development Officer Darryl Exelby was invited to speak in the Vancouver area at two Christian Reformed Church meetings, attended by more than 40 CRC churches from across British Columbia. CPJ distributed new multi-media presentations, posters and resource materials to these churches and the demand for additional materials was overwhelming. CPJ’s profile has really increased in this area of the country, as more and more members are becoming actively involved.

During the visit, Darryl had the opportunity to meet new members and existing supporters that have re-committed their support to CPJ. Members expressed interest in volunteering on CPJ committees, helping to organize a CPJ event next spring and becoming more active in their churches around public justice issues.

If you are also interested in becoming more involved with CPJ or you would like to organize a public justice event in your community, please give Darryl a call or send him an email.

CPJ at Carleton University

CPJ policy analysts Karri Munn-Venn and Chandra Pasma and Public Justice Intern Rebekah Sears visited the Social Issues class of the School of Journalism at Carleton University on March 2. Karri and Chandra shared CPJ’s work in promoting public justice and the role of NGOs in public policy. They highlighted past successes and outlined the importance of public engagement and advocacy using the example of the Dignity for All campaign. Then they joined in a discussion with the students about poverty in Canada, the current advocacy context and the place of faith in politics. Karri, Chandra and Rebekah enjoyed the warm welcome they received from the class, as well as the thought-provoking discussion.

Cost of poverty workshop

There is a cost associated with doing nothing about poverty. Poverty raises health care expenditures, increases policing and judicial costs, and strains the fabric of our communities. But how do we put a price tag on the cost of poverty?  On March 10, the National Council of Welfare held a roundtable on the cost of poverty. CPJ policy analysts Chandra Pasma and Karri Munn-Venn were in attendance to share their perspectives and learn from the work that is being done by the National Council of Welfare and other organizations. The day-long roundtable will help the National Council of Welfare to develop and frame a report on the Cost of Poverty.

Canadian Medical Association: President-elect highlights need for action on poverty

Incoming President of the Canadian Medical Association Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull firmly believes that in order to improve the health and well-being of Canadians, we must address poverty. On March 9, CPJ’s Karri Munn-Venn joined Canada Without Poverty and the National Council of Welfare for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Turnbull. He recounted how his life was turned around by a teacher who saw his potential despite his struggles with undiagnosed dyslexia, an event which has inspired his own approach to serving others. In 1998 Dr. Turnbull joined colleagues from several downtown Ottawa service agencies to create a network that would later become Ottawa Inner City Health Inc., “to improve the health and access to health care for people who are homeless with complex health needs.” Dr. Turnbull recognizes that his perspective is significantly different than his predecessors at the CMA, but remains enthusiastic about the opportunity to highlight social determinants of health on the CMA’s policy agenda.

Web features

From Earth Hour to municipal action on poverty to immigration and faith in action, CPJ has a number of thoughtful and timely web features and blog posts to share this month.

Make “Earth Hour” every minute

Participating in Earth Hour is an important symbol of our commitment to action on climate change. But because it is symbolic, it does not go far enough. We also need bold action from individuals and governments to change our destructive lifestyle and inadequate environmental policy. So far, Canada’s response to climate change has been completely insufficient, despite the fact that we signed the Copenhagen Accord. We need to make a commitment to ecological justice every minute of every hour. Read more…

Municipal action to combat poverty sends strong message to the federal government

Poverty continues to be a significant problem within Canada. To address this issue several provinces and municipalities, including Ottawa, have developed poverty reduction strategies. As poverty is most visible at the local level, municipalities must play a role in reduction. However, they cannot succeed alone. The participation of the federal government is crucial in order to set national standards, offer support and direct resources. Action, however, has remained firmly in the domain of municipalities and provinces. When will the federal government step up and take strong action to eliminate poverty in Canada? Read more…

What do Canadians think of immigration?

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney, has promised that changes are coming to the Citizenship and Immigration Act. But what do Canadians really think of immigration, and will the proposed changes reflect our values? Read more…

Faith in action: Operation Sharing

CPJ members John KleinGeltink and Grace Miedema are involved in an exciting faith-based initiative in Woodstock and Ingersoll, Ontario.  Learn more about Operation Sharing and its vision of transforming lives through relationships.  Read more…

At the Table

In June, the world’s most powerful leaders will gather in Huntsville and Toronto for the G8 and G20. Let’s ensure the voices of those most affected are heard and are reflected in the decisions made at these summits. At the Table is calling citizens to “take their place” alongside world leaders in important global summits. It is calling leaders to “take their place” in forging bold decisions on the issues people care about—poverty, climate change, and economic justice. Visit At the Table’s website to take your place and show your support. CPJ supports At the Table through our participation in Make Poverty History.

Earth Hour

This year, Earth Hour will be celebrated in a record 116 countries around the world. On March 27, at 8:30 pm, people will turn off their lights, power down their computers, unplug all appliances and go without electricity for one hour.

But this doesn’t mean you have to sit in the dark! Kairos has developed resources for a worship service to be held during Earth Hour [pdf]. Other events may be happening in your community: candle-lit dinners, board game nights, or starlit concerts. Over 5 million people across the world have already committed to switching off the lights – don’t forget to turn yours off, too!

A prayer for social justice

God, we pray that Your Spirit may rule over all things.

May Your Spirit rule over kings and presidents
over prime ministers and generals
over CEOs and party bosses
over the legislature and over the bureaucrats
over all citizens.

May Your Spirit guide us on the way of peace
on the way of honest dialogue
on the way of reconciliation between peoples
on the way of disarmament and justice
on the way of freedom and life for all.

May Your Spirit lead us on the journey
of blessings shared with all
on the journey of educational opportunity for all our children
on the adventure of research and study
that helps all men and women
on the road to meaningful work for all people
on the path of solidarity and love
between all our brothers and sisters.

May Your Spirit help us
to speak up with courage
to share what we have and what we are
to challenge the powers that be
to offer a message of liberation and life.

We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada

For all at CPJ, Chandra Pasma. Enjoy the arrival of spring, and we’ll see you again in April!