“Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to place into our national record my commendation of a very extraordinary Canadian; a man who was not only a champion of justice, a voice for the voiceless, and a man deep and compelling faith, but a mentor and cherished friend. His name was Gerald Vandezande.”Read more »
Please join Gerald’s friends and family in an evening and the following morning designed to remember the work of this tireless Christian activist, member of the Order of Canada and a founder of Citizens for Public Justice, who passed away in the summer of 2011.
Time and Place:
On Friday February17, 2012, beginning at 7 p.m. at First Christian Reformed Church of Toronto, 67 Taunton Road. (Taunton Road is centrally located, one block east of Mount Pleasant Road, just south of Eglinton Avenue East.) Read more »
The Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) has been attracting a lot of attention lately. While the Canadian government has stated its opposition to increased taxation and decided to pursue austerity measures instead, what are the implications for the economy and common good? Read more »
This is the final in our three-part series of edited excerpts from Prof. Bob Goudzwaard’s speech to CPJ’s AGM in May, 2011. In the first portion, Prof. Goudzwaard explored five characteristics of globalisation that have emerged since the millennium. The second part examined the hardening of globalisation and the growing power of illusion; two cultural trends which Prof. Goudzwaard believes to be crucial to understanding our current reality. This final segment explores the Christian response to these troubled times. Read more »
An unusual person has left our company on this earth, he who was a relentless, indefatigable and blessed peace-maker. Gerald changed the direction of my life for good, as he did for many others.
So as friends and acquaintances we mourn the loss of Gerald with you family members who will now miss husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and fellow believer. But we also offer joyful thanks to God for Gerald’s stimulating life among us these years as he championed the cause of bringing compassionate justice to others, especially those who had no advocate, like the poor, in the circles of governing power. Read more »
By The Hon. John McKay M.P. | Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Gerry referred to me with his slight Dutch lilt as his brother, so I am pleased to be asked to say a few words in tribute to “my brother” today.
You know, when Gerry called or visited, you knew he was going to bring “an ask,” and that whatever he asked you were going to give him. He couldn’t be denied!
A meeting with a minister – no problem
An appearance before the Finance Committee – consider it done
Funds for an anti-poverty project – may take a little longer but you knew you were in the GV web
Why was he able to convince us? – because he wasn`t in it for himself.
In fact you knew it was going to cost him time and energy which he surely knew was draining out of him as he came to the end of his life.
It has not been easy for Gerry in the last years. Sometimes in conversation he would tap the side of his head to get that thought out. But even with that, Gerald was still phoning politicians, involved with social advocacy groups, helping family.
Gerald was driven by His God, driven by social responsibility.
But social responsibility sometimes meant that he was not there with his family, even when he wanted to, especially in the early years when Gerry was criss-crossing the country building an organization. And for that we thank you Wynne, Janice and Karen.
He had the courage of his convictions, even if you disagreed with him.
It is only with Gerald’s special optimism that he saw growth in early years, even when he went to cities and towns where some meetings only started with 7 or 17 people.
There is a strong minority here that have the same values as Gerry, and I want to emphasize a strong minority. Read more »
My answer was true, but I nonetheless wondered later if I had in fact given the right answer. The reporter’s question assumed that economic growth was so important that we should do anything to achieve it – even lose valuable public services for the sake of cutting taxes if tax cuts were necessary to stimulate growth. My answer to him accepted this assumption. Read more »
“Mr. Speaker,
Please join Gerald’s friends and family in an evening and the following morning designed to remember the work of this tireless Christian activist, member of the Order of Canada and a founder of Citizens for Public Justice, who passed away in the summer of 2011.
The Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) has been attracting a lot of attention lately. While the Canadian government has stated its opposition to increased taxation and decided to pursue austerity measures instead, what are the implications for the economy and common good? 
This is the final in our three-part series of edited excerpts from Prof. Bob Goudzwaard’s speech to CPJ’s AGM in May, 2011. In the first portion, Prof. Goudzwaard explored five characteristics of globalisation that have emerged since the millennium. The second part examined the hardening of globalisation and the growing power of illusion; two cultural trends which Prof. Goudzwaard believes to be crucial to understanding our current reality. This final segment explores the Christian response to these troubled times. 
