Ola! September 2009

The fall colours are starting to creep in, and here at the CPJ offices, we’ve hit the ground running. Committee appearances, visiting members and leading workshops are just a few of the things keeping us busy these days.

Welcome to the September e-newsletter of Citizens for Public Justice. Join us as we speak out for change and call our governments to live out public justice.

CPJ at Holland Christian Homes

Many tenants of Holland Christian Homes (HCH) in Brampton, Ontario, have teamed up with CPJ to become active social justice spokespersons. On Wednesday September 9, Citizens for Public Justice held an evening social at HCH. New and current CPJ supporters came out to share coffee, dessert and conversation with executive director Joe Gunn and membership and development officer Darryl Exelby. Together, they discussed the exciting Dignity For All Campaign and how tenants of HCH could become more involved with CPJ.

Many people who attended the evening were glad to see that CPJ is actively profiling the programs and projects that make CPJ an effective justice organization across Canada. In fact, a focus group of active and new CPJ members will begin meeting at HCH to discuss social justice issues in their own community and think of active ways to reduce poverty, protect the environment and help new immigrants in their community.

Everyone who attended was glad to see CPJ connect again with the Brampton community that has long been supporters of CPJ. This was CPJ’s first visit to HCH, and CPJ would like to specifically thank the staff of HCH and Duca Credit Union for helping cover the costs of the event.

This was not a one-time event - Darryl is already looking forward to a return visit to Brampton in the spring of 2010.

Thoughts and prayers for Gerald

Gerald Vandezande, former national director of CPJ, was unable to attend the event at Holland Christian Homes because he has recently been unwell. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gerald, Wynne and their family during this time.

At CPJ’s appearance before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance last week, MP John McKay expressed his wishes for Gerald’s recovery: “I think the committee should note the contribution of CPJ to the deliberations of this committee over many years, particularly in the form of Gerry Vandezande. I know Gerry is sick at this point and I think I would be remiss if I didn't wish Gerry all the best and a speedy recovery personally and on behalf of the committee.”

Welcoming Camille: Our adoption story

By Darryl Exelby
For anyone who has considered adoption as an opportunity to help someone else, consider this: you will experience excitement, sadness, apprehension, frustration, but most of all elated joy as you bring a child into a new home with new family members and a place of safety and comfort. For us, it was worth every minute and dollar we spent.

My wife and I already have 3 biological children, but when my wife returned from the Ukraine back in September 2008 after volunteering at an orphanage, she advised me that we must adopt a child from the Ukraine. I had my doubts and fears about how I could love a child I did not know, how would she fit in, what if she is not happy here? The Lord comforted us and strengthened us in many ways through this process. My wife and I have experienced many major events this year, including our move to Ottawa from BC to start my new position with CPJ and a loss of a child that we both experienced this spring. The Lord was able to prepare us for the trials and tribulations of loving and welcoming a new child into our home this August.

Our daughter is 3 years old and her name is Camille. We spent 4 weeks in her home (orphanage) getting to know her and creating a bond. After my wife went home to Canada to get our other 3 children ready for school, Camille and I spent many, many quality hours together discovering Kiev, cars, people and food. We had our interesting conversations, which usually became one-sided, but we grew together as we learned each other’s likes and dislikes.

After 4½ weeks away, Camille and I got onto a plane and went home. How was I going to cope with a 10 hour flight and a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam? The Lord placed two wonderful people in my life, actually sitting right beside us on the airplane from Ukraine, who helped us cope with flying and the language. There were many signs and outright acts of control as we saw Christ at work.

Our children and my wife met us in Montreal and today we are a family of 6. We fight, sing, play, cry and eat together, but we all love each other. Camille loves her big sister, gets bossed by her big brother and is a curious project for our 1½ year old. We thank the Lord for the grace, patience and mercy shown to us as we try to provide a better life for our children.

Thank you to many of you who have called and supported me and my family in this process and to CPJ for allowing me to exercise social justice and dignity for my daughter Camille. – Darryl is CPJ’s Membership and Development Officer

CPJ at the Finance Committee

What should the priorities be for Budget 2010? This is the question CPJ was called upon to answer when we appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of their pre-budget consultations. Policy analyst Chandra Pasma highlighted the need for an economy of care that puts people at the heart of economic planning.

Our presentation offered three recommendations that could help Canada move towards an economy of care:

1. Budget 2010 should announce a comprehensive, federal plan for poverty elimination.
2. Budget 2010 should take steps towards introducing a universal, Guaranteed Livable Income for all Canadians.
3. Budget 2010 should rollback the recent corporate tax cuts and GST cuts and invest the revenue in social infrastructure programs like childcare and EI.

For more information, check out this week’s web feature, Budget an opportunity to build economy of care, and our brief to the Finance Committee.

CPJ at Day of Encouragement

On Saturday, September 19, policy analyst Chandra Pasma attended the Ottawa Day of Encouragement at Calvin Christian Reformed Church. The Day of Encouragement is sponsored by Diaconal Ministries Canada to encourage, support and train deacons, elders, pastors and church leaders. Chandra led a workshop entitled Dignity for All: Towards a Poverty-free Canada.

Although the group was small, the conversation was excellent. The group considered how poverty erodes the dignity of people created in the image of God, and learned about how a poverty elimination strategy could make a difference. We also discussed advocacy, and how our goal is to be faithful, rather than worrying about being successful.

Researching Nova Scotia’s poverty reduction plan

Nova Scotia is one of the few provinces that has made some headway in addressing poverty. A provincial poverty reduction strategy was announced this spring – however, not long afterward, the governing Conservatives were defeated by the New Democrats in the provincial election. Since then, it has remained unclear as to what will happen to the province’s strategy.

To get a better handle on what was going on, and to develop a deeper understanding of Nova Scotia’s approach to poverty reduction, CPJ enlisted the help of Gwen Veenema. Gwen, a first-year student at The University of King’s College in Halifax, met with various members of the legislative committee, local support workers, and accompanied CPJ policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn to a meeting with MP Mike Savage.

Gwen, who is currently finishing up her research project, said, “I have enjoyed working with CPJ. I found things very challenging when it came to meeting with people to talk about the Poverty Reduction Strategy. I also found it very interesting, though, to learn about Nova Scotia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The most important thing I learned from working with CPJ was the necessity of staying in touch with your community and trying to understand people and their unique experiences.”

Much thanks to Gwen for all of her hard work – look for her research to appear on our website shortly!

Web features

Election rumours, interns leaving, the summer wrapping up – all of these topics provided much fodder for our web features of the past few weeks! Read them all below.

A stop-gap approach to immigration?

Recently, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney expressed surprise that the demand for temporary foreign workers has not gone down since the recession.

However, this steady demand for temporary foreign workers should not be surprising to Minister Kenney at all. This steady demand is, in fact, the inevitable result of the temporary foreign worker program and the current government’s approach to immigration. Read more…

Mariel’s last web feature

With September upon us, it is hard for me to believe that my internship with CPJ has come to a close. I have had an immensely positive experience this past year, and it is now difficult for me to imagine doing anything else but working at CPJ on issues of public justice. Read more...

Canadian politics about power, not governance

With Parliament set to resume next week, it seems clear that the June show-down that resulted in the Blue Ribbon EI panel will resume where it left off. Accusations have been flying from both sides, and it looks likely this show-down will quickly move to the election arena.

In fact, this has been the pattern in the past few years of minority governments: high stakes confrontations between political leaders, little or no policy vision, and attempts at cooperation destroyed by hyper-partisan behaviour. And rather than read the writing on the wall that minority governments are here for awhile, parties behave as if a majority government is inevitably beyond the next election. Everything is about that upcoming election: jockeying for position, scoring a few points, slinging mud at their opponents. Read more…

Camp delivers highlights of summer

Poverty Justice Camp, an Anglican Church event with participants from across Canada, was a week of intense experiences and reflections on poverty, charity, and justice. As a participant in the “urban poverty and homelessness” immersion group, Karri visited a number of service agencies and met a number of people they served. Karri was witness to the tremendous compassion and caring of front-line workers. The solidarity they demonstrated as they journey together with people facing marginalization and exclusion was truly inspirational. Read more…

BIEN Canada Conference

On October 1 and 2, CPJ is helping to sponsor a Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) – Canada conference on Guaranteed Livable Income, to be held in Ottawa.

This workshop will focus on questions of approach and design, sharing perspectives to help build a movement in Canada for GLI. Featured speakers include Jurgen de Wispelaere, Senator Hugh Segal, MP Tony Martin, Evelyn Forget, CPJ policy analyst Chandra Pasma and many more!

Participation is open to all who are interested. Registration is $50, $15 for low income participants and students.

October 16 – Stand Up with CPJ

On October 16, 17, and 18 people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action on poverty and in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Stand Up events coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, October 17. Join CPJ in Ottawa for a Stand Up event, or plan a Stand Up moment in your workplace, church or neighbourhood!

At least 3.3 million people live in poverty in Canada – without the ability to make ends meet, to get the supports necessary to provide for their children, or to live a fulfilling life. Internationally the figure is 1.2 billion people: hungry, with little or no access to action, and dying of preventable diseases. In the year 2000, world leaders promised to halve extreme poverty and achieve the MDGs by 2015.

Unfortunately, little progress has been made. We need action on poverty now. Canada will host the annual meeting of the G8 (the world’s eight wealthiest economies) next year in Huntsville, Ontario. The world will be watching. The Government of Canada needs to show bold leadership on both domestic and international poverty.

If you are in the Ottawa area, please join CPJ, the Dignity for All campaign, and Make Poverty History on Friday, October 16 at 12 noon on Parliament Hill to let our political leaders know that we want action on poverty in Canada, and follow-through on commitments to eradicate global poverty.

Not in Ottawa? Other Stand Up events are being organized in communities across Canada. Find out what is happening where you live or organize your own event. For information on how to plan a Stand Up event, or insert a “Stand Up Moment” into an existing gathering (such as a worship service), see the Stand Up 2009 Resource Kit.

An evening with CPJ

CPJ invites you to join us for an evening of celebration and entertainment on October 16! Join us as we celebrate our achievements, stand together to renew our commitment to public justice, and show solidarity with the poor on this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The evening, to be held at St Joseph’s Parish in Ottawa, will feature local musicians, tasty food, and good conversation. Featuring Canterbury High School’s OTIS Lives Band, as well as Bob Carty, James Stephens and friends, the evening is sure to be inspiring and engaging.

Tickets are $20, $10 for students, and are available for purchase from CPJ by phoning (613) 232-0275 or emailing cpj@cpj.ca. Doors will open at 7pm. If you’re in the Ottawa area, we’d love to see you there!

Welcome interns!

September is always a time of new faces at CPJ. Each fall, we welcome our new public justice policy intern – this year, we welcomed Rebekah Sears. Bekah recently graduated with her Master of Arts from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. We’re glad to have her join the CPJ team – look for blog posts, web features and much more from Bekah on our website soon.

Along with Bekah, we’ve welcomed a few more part-time interns. Kathryn Cummings is a third year student in the Faculty of Social Work at Carleton University. She joined CPJ in mid-September for a part-time placement with the policy team. Kathryn will be carrying out a number of tasks in support of the Dignity for All campaign, including research and logistics support.

Adam Snook is currently completing his Master of Divinity degree at the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. As a complement to his placement as Intern Pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Adam will be working part-time with CPJ’s policy team. Adam’s primary task will be to develop faith-based resources for the Dignity for All campaign.

Welcome to all of our new team members – they will make the office a busier place! Look for a few more introductions to come in the next few months.

Words from Isaiah

Let these familiar verses from Isaiah 58 remind us of the call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

Shout, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
   to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
   and delight to know my ways,
   as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
   and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
   they delight to draw near to God.
“Why do we fast, but you do not see?
   Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”

Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
   and oppress all of your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
   a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
   a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the chains of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
   the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:1-8, New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

For all at CPJ, Karen Diepeveen. See you in October! And remember to Stand Up and be counted on October 16.