This week, a two-day event was held in Ottawa, where, for the first time, faith leaders met to address the growing crises caused by climate change. Leaders from faith, political and environmental communities discussed the recently created Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. This event was organized by a collaborative interfaith committee on climate justice, including Citizens for Public Justice, The Commission of Justice and Peace of the Canadian Council of Churches, Faith and the Common Good, The Hill Times and Embassy Magazine. Read more »
By Simon Lewchuk | Friday, August 26th, 2011 - 12:54PM
0 comments
Canadians have been deeply saddened by Jack Layton’s untimely death earlier this week. Here in Ottawa – like in so many other places around the country – we’ve witnessed an outpouring of grief and reflection over this loss.
To be sure, Jack was human. Like you and me, he had his shortcomings. He was far from perfect. Many of us didn’t agree with all that he said or did.
But regardless of your politics or theology, I think we can all admire him for the positive, hopeful vision that he so adeptly articulated and promoted. Jack was for something. And, again, even if you don’t agree with all the things he was for, we must admit that there was something likeable and contagious about his ability to inspire change. Read more »
On the afternoon of November 16th, I found myself waiting to meet Senator Grant Mitchell, sponsor of a climate change bill. But then the bells started ringing, calling members into the Chamber for a vote. All at once, my meeting was cancelled and the Climate Change Accountability Act went down to defeat by a tally of 43 to 32. The Senate had dealt the global environment a massive blow – without even debating the legislation before it.
It was not surprising, then, that there was little expectation of a positive outcome from the conference in Cancun, Mexico, November 29 - December 10, 2010. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 - 3:05PM
0 comments
This week I’m just coming back to work after a couple weeks of vacation in Vancouver. It was a different kind of vacation because I decided to audit a two week theology class at Regent College, on the campus of the University of British Columbia.
Regent has a great reputation for integrating faith with all aspects of life, including public life and work, which I’ve talked about a lot, but also in all our daily activities, in some ways that did not really occur to me before. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Monday, June 21st, 2010 - 1:13PM
0 comments
Last week the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Indian Residential Schools was officially launched in Winnipeg. Those present included Murray Sinclair and the other commissioners, government officials such as the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Chuck Strahl, Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit people from across the country, representatives from the four national churches who ran the schools, and the general public.
This was the first opportunity for many residential school survivors to share their stories with the Canadian public. Emotions were running high for those testifying, as well as those listening. The truth stirred up memories among survivors, and regret among the others. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 12:57PM
0 comments
June 11 is the second anniversary of the government’s official apology for the Indian Residential Schools, which represent a disturbing legacy in Canada’s history.This June there are various events and conferences being held across the country to mark the anniversary of the apology and promote ways for the people of Canada to move forward: Read more »
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 »
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 »
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when a lively group of Ottawans rambled down the highway to Hamilton. There were two priests, two young adults from a local parish and the two of us. We were among the 85 or so clergy and lay people from across the country making our way to “Community Justice Camp – Live the Change you want to see.”
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 »
By Chandra Pasma | Friday, February 26th, 2010 - 3:37PM
1 comment
At workshops and presentations, people often ask me what they and their churches can do to get involved in fighting poverty locally. One of my suggestions is to follow the example of Operation Sharing in Woodstock, Ontario: they got rid of their food bank.
Operation Sharing is a local charity based in Oxford County, about an hour’s drive from Toronto. Operation Sharing is owned and run by local churches, with many different denominations contributing board members, volunteers, donations and funding. It was created over 25 years ago by four local United Church ministers. Read more »
This week, a two-day event was held in Ottawa, where, for the first time, faith leaders met to address the growing crises caused by climate change. Leaders from faith, political and environmental communities discussed the recently created 
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. 
