About Us

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization of members inspired by faith to act for justice in Canadian public policy.

How do we move Canada towards the kind of society we want? One where no child goes hungry ... where care for the Earth becomes a way of life ... where refugees are treated fairly ... where no one lives in poverty … where Aboriginal people can rise up from their marginalized status.

It’s a tall order. That’s why for more than 45 years over 1500 justice-oriented Canadian Christians, along with dozens of local churches, religious orders and others, have joined their voices as Citizens for Public Justice to have a real impact on the society we share.

CPJ defines public justice as the political dimension of loving one's neighbour, caring for creation and achieving the common good. Public justice is particularly the responsibility of government and citizens. It involves seeking out and implementing just policies that allow everyone to live in dignity and participate in society.

We invite you to help us to be a hope-filled presence in Canadian public affairs by joining your voice to ours.

Vision and Mission

We are a faithful response to God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.

We envision a world in which individuals, communities, societal institutions and governments all contribute to and benefit from the common good.

Our mission is to promote public justice in Canada by shaping key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, leaders in society and governments to support policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.

Our History

CPJ has a long history of speaking out for public justice across Canada. From the early beginnings in the 1960s, to regional offices in the 1980s, to our move to our nation’s capital in 2007, CPJ has been an active voice in Canadian public affairs.

Our history includes many people of different backgrounds coming together to speak with one voice. Explore our history below – and join us as we move forward in the next chapter of CPJ.

Our People

CPJ is made up of over 1500 members across Canada, who support and encourage CPJ’s staff. The Board of Directors is composed of 12 elected members representing all regions of Canada. We also have volunteers who generously give of their time and join our voices together throughout the country.

Join your voice to ours today – become a member, take time to volunteer, talk to one of our staff members, or take on a leadership role as a member of the board!

Our Values

We live in a country that provides us with immense opportunities. As citizens, we are called to participate in the public sphere and encourage our governments to adopt just policies. As Christians, we are called to live out our response to God’s call to love, justice and stewardship. This response is at the heart of public justice.

CPJ defines public justice as the political dimension of loving one’s neighbour, caring for creation and achieving the common good. Public justice is particularly the responsibility of government and citizens. It involves seeking out and implementing just policies that allow everyone to live in dignity and participate in society.

Governance & Finance

CPJ is funded through the donations of members, church communities, religious congregations, and other supporters. Our elected 12-member board of directors represents all regions of Canada. Board members can sit a maximum of two 3-year terms.

Each spring, CPJ holds an Annual General Meeting for members to come together to discuss CPJ’s work and vote in new board members. Join this dialogue – become a member and strengthen CPJ’s voice.

Careers

At this time we have no employment opportunities available. Strengthen our voice – join us by becoming a member or volunteering in a variety of ways, or, if you’re a recent university graduate, check out our internship possibilities.

CPJ's song: Let Justice Flow

Thursday, May 4th, 2006

Listen to the song online. Sheet music is available for purchase. Read more »

CPJ: a rose by any other name

Monday, January 9th, 2006

Over nearly half a century, the work of CPJ has been publicly known under different names and carried out through a variety of organizational and corporate structures. Read more »

A Plan for Growth, Prosperity and Public Justice?

By Greg deGroot-Maggetti | Saturday, November 5th, 2005

The stage: the parliamentary pre-budget hearings. The performance: the Finance Minister’s annual economic and fiscal update. The key message: prudent fiscal management over the past ten years will deliver multi-billion dollar annual surpluses over the next five years. Read more »

Setting the Standard

Thursday, September 22nd, 2005

Changes to employment insurance and welfare policies since the early 1990s have emphasized the need to redesign social policy to encourage people to work. But, many workers in today's economy struggle to get by in low-paid jobs. Read more »

Mission

Wednesday, August 31st, 2005

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) promotes public justice in Canada by shaping key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, leaders in society and governments to support policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice and stewardship. Read more »

The path of public justice

Friday, July 29th, 2005

How do we move Canada towards the kind of society we want? One where no child goes hungry ... where care for the Earth becomes a way of life ... where refugees are treated fairly ... where Aboriginal people can rise up from their marginalized status.

It’s a tall order. That’s why for more than 40 years over 1500 justice-oriented Canadian Christians, along with dozens of local churches, religious orders and others, have joined forces as Citizens for Public Justice to have a real impact on the society we share. Read more »

CPJ's contribution to public life

Friday, July 29th, 2005

CPJ's uniqueness is characterized by its ability to play a vital role in the debate around the fundamental direction of our society. Our contribution includes not simply developing and promoting policy alternatives, but more specifically doing so in the context of the core values and principles which shape society and public policy. This unique approach enables us to speak to, and dialogue with, a broad cross-section of Canadian society. Read more »

CPJ's take on Faith and Politics

Tuesday, May 31st, 2005

For CPJ and PJRC, our faith calls out beyond apathy or powerlessness. It calls us to a faith that opens us to our common humanity, our calling to love God by loving our neighbour also in our political life together. Read more »

2005 survey elicits helpful Viewpoints

By Louise Slobodian | Tuesday, March 15th, 2005

Report on findings of Viewpoints survey of CPJ supporters, conducted March and April 2005. Read more »

What we do

Sunday, January 30th, 2005

In keeping with its mission to promote public justice in Canada, CPJ shapes key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue. CPJ also encourages citizens, leaders in society and governments to support policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.We often work with other organizations and coalitions on specific concerns. Read more »