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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.

Poem: Dance to the Music of Prophets Mending the World

Dance to the Music of Prophets Mending the World by Linda Siebenga, Blackfalds, Alberta. Read more »

Artwork: We Live As One To Love As One

Artwork for the 40th Anniversary of Citizens for Public Justice and the Public Justice Resource Centre by Matth Cupido, artist living in Canning, Nova Scotia Read more »

Guidelines for Christian political service and Charter of social rights and responsibilities

God's intention for us is that we live in love and justice with our sisters and brothers all over the world, and in harmony and stewardship with creation, worshipping our God and celebrating our redemption through Jesus Christ. Yet when we try to live out that intention, we run into roadblocks arising from human disobedience, as well as from the political, economic and social structures which we've built. These structures are also a part of the brokenness of this world, and we must work to change them as part of our response to God's law of love and justice.

Citizens for Public Justice is a national Christian political organization dedicated to resolving the structural problems which contribute to injustice and which hinder us from being the kind of people whom God wants us to be. Our Guidelines for Christian Political Service and Charter of Social Rights and Responsibilities reflect our understanding of how we should try to live responsibly.

These documents have been gradually shaped and refined by the staff, board and members of CPJ over the years as we have struggled together to understand the implications of God's intention for us. The Guidelines and the Charter cannot just be plugged into any given situation to provide a straightforward ruling on what is a "correct" Christian response. In this complex world, no such simple system could exist. The Guidelines and the Charter are not the last word on a Christian vision for political justice. However, they can help us make better decisions. Read more »

Public Justice, Then and Now and Into the Future

3 Panelists: Jim Visser, Kathy Vandergrift, and Janet Wesselius, Edmonton, May 29, 2004. Read more »

Revealing the Face of Hunger

A 40th Anniversary Reflection by Marilyn Gunn, Executive Director of Calgary Community Kitchen Program
Calgary, May 27, 2004. Read more »

Stories from the North; Lessons for the South

Rene Fumoleau, poet, story teller and long-time priest to the Dene in the Northwest Territories tells wonderful stories that give pause for thought. A 40th anniversary reflection, Vancouver, 2004. Read more »

The Struggle For Hope

Rev. Susan Eagle, London City Councillor and United Church Minister
London, April 23, 2004. Read more »

Public Justice in a Time of (In)Security

Alex Neve, Secretary-General, Amnesty International Canada
Ottawa, March 24, 2004. Read more »

Being Anishnaabe

Aiden Enns' report of an address given by Justice Murray Sinclair
Winnipeg, March 19, 2004. Read more »

Silence is Not Always Golden

A 40th Anniversary Reflection by Mayan Francis, Director and CEO, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Halifax, March 6, 2004. Read more »

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