About CPJ

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.

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.

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.

CPJ’s publications range from books to position papers to newsletters. the Catalyst, our quarterly newsletter, goes in-depth on a wide range of public justice issues. Our monthly e-newsletter, Ola!, informs about our current work and what is going on in other justice organizations across the country.

We also publish and promote books, including Hope in Troubled Times: A new vision for confronting global crises. Published in 2007, this book explores current worldwide crises including environmental devastation and widespread poverty. It doesn’t stop there, however – the book goes on to provide a biblically-founded framework for approaching these crises, leaving us with a hopeful vision for the future.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Tar sands development. Taxes as a common good. Environmental and economic reforms. Poverty in Canada. These are just a few of the public justice issues reported on in CPJ’s quarterly newsletter, the Catalyst. As a CPJ member, you can receive the Catalyst for free and stay up-to-date on current public justice issues in Canada. Please contact the communications coordinator if you wish to reprint any material.

View CPJ staff profiles.

CPJ’s voice comes from the strength of its 1500 members. Spread across Canada, our members are a central part of our dialogue around public justice issues. Through workshops, on-line forums and campaigns, our members take action and speak as one, encouraging the federal government to adopt just policies and promote the dignity of all.

Members also receive a subscription to the Catalyst and have the chance to actively participate at our Annual General Meetings.

Become a member today!

Our volunteers are the glue of CPJ. Doing research, making telephone calls and organizing workshops are just a few of the ways that our volunteers generously give of their time. Deeply committed to justice in Canada, our volunteers across the country support CPJ staff daily. Join this active and passionate group of people today – contact us at cpj@cpj.ca or 1-800-667-8046.

Each year, CPJ holds an Annual General Meeting, at which members gather to discuss CPJ’s work over the past year, vote in new board members, and fellowship together. This chance to meet with staff, board and members is always an encouraging event. Each AGM also features a guest speaker exploring themes of public justice. Read about our past AGMs below.

The Ola! e-newsletter is a monthly round-up of policy views and CPJ news.

• See our current issue
• View all Ola! issues
• Sign up to receive Ola! by email.