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. Read more »
The Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver have grabbed headlines around the world. Canada’s attempt to go faster, higher and stronger (as the Olympic motto proclaims) aspires to bring home more medals than ever before - to be the best in the world.
But just a few days after the Games end, on March 3rd, Parliament will begin a new session with a Speech From the Throne, in which the government lays out an inspiring agenda for the future. What would need to be said to have Canada become the best for the world? Read more »
By Kathy Vandergrift and Citizens for Public Justice | Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
The Prime Minister sent our MPs home to recalibrate the government agenda. The break was 20 workdays, he said.
If you could set the agenda for 2010 during this pause, what would your list of the 20 most important policy concerns include?
CPJ has come up with a list of 20 key policy questions, one for each day. We believe these issues should be debated by MPs, the voice of the people, to set directions for Canada. Read more »
The beginning of a new year brings many questions. Still, we are energized by the potential of what lies ahead, spurred on by the focus of a new strategic plan, and strengthened by the support of longstanding and new members alike.
God has called us, redeemed us, and transformed us to be agents of change. “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10). We will therefore offer a faithful response to God’s call for love, justice and stewardship. Read more »
Controversy swirls as world leaders prepare to gather in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Summit. Global warming caused by human action is still denied by some, while others perceive it to be the defining issue of our age. How are we to know what to believe? For CPJ members, a public justice framing of the complexities of climate change yields some helpful perspectives. Read more »
It's just six weeks until Canada joins other world leaders in Copnhagen to discuss the next global climate change agreement. Can Canada change it's tone and support an environmentally just plan, or will we continue to be labelled as unhelpful participants? Read more »
Earth Day, which always falls on April 22, has become a worldwide cultural icon, described by some as “the largest secular holiday in the world.” The first Earth Day was held in the United States in 1970, after concerns about the environmental effects of rising population growth and oil spills off the California coast galvanized public opinion. Now more than 500 million people and governments in some 175 countries around the globe celebrate Earth Day in a wide range of ways.
Should supporters of CPJ celebrate Earth Day? And if so, how?Read more »
On February 19, Barack Obama flew into Ottawa for his first presidential trip outside the United States. His host, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is yearning for some of his visitor’s high approval ratings to rub off here at home.
Although such visits are highly controlled and orchestrated affairs, comparisons of the two leaders’ characters, styles and (hopefully) policies will be unavoidable. Most notably, while both leaders have advocated massive spending packages to get their economies growing again, the differences between the ways they stimulate are starkly evident. Read more »
The Speech from the Throne outlines the federal government's vision for our country, highlighting their plans, and setting direction and tone for Parliament. With key public justice questions confronting Canadians, the decisions of this government are important for our common future. CPJ would like to see the throne speech set the tone for a more conciliatory, democratic Parliament. We also want to see commitment to a poverty reduction strategy, including reform of Employment Insurance. We believe the time has come for urgent action on climate change. We hope the government will offer a vision that inspires all Canadians to work for the common good. Read more »
CPJ’s 2008 Annual General Meeting featured guest speaker John Hiemstra discussing the oil sands and public justice. This article briefly outlines his talk. Read more »
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. 
The Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver have grabbed headlines around the world. Canada’s attempt to go faster, higher and stronger (as the Olympic motto proclaims) aspires to bring home more medals than ever before - to be the best in the world.
The Prime Minister sent our MPs home to recalibrate the government agenda. The break was 20 workdays, he said.
Controversy swirls as world leaders prepare to gather in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Summit. Global warming caused by human action is still denied by some, while others perceive it to be the defining issue of our age. How are we to know what to believe? For CPJ members, a public justice framing of the complexities of climate change yields some helpful perspectives. 
Earth Day, which always falls on April 22, has become a worldwide cultural icon, described by some as “the largest secular holiday in the world.” The first Earth Day was held in the United States in 1970, after concerns about the environmental effects of rising population growth and oil spills off the California coast galvanized public opinion. Now more than 500 million people and governments in some 175 countries around the globe celebrate Earth Day in a wide range of ways.
