Citizens for Public Justice

Cultivating a mindful relationship with our food has never been more challenging or more important. Unlike preceding generations, the majority of us no longer live among those who grow our food. Much of the food sold in Canadian grocery stores has travelled long distances. And most eaters know remarkably little about their daily meals: Where was the food grown? By whom? Under what conditions?

CPJ’s backgrounder on pricing carbon emissions, Carbon and the Common Good, looks at the environmental crisis from a public justice perspective. After summarizing some of the biblical principles that guide our reflection, this paper addresses one specific and complex area of debate, carbon taxes. It also lays out some positioning for the organization on this issue.

This is the fourth online reflection posted in honour of CPJ’s 50th anniversary.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2013 edition of the Catalyst.​​

By Lee Hollaar

Last month our church dedicated a Sunday offering to the local food bank. It was a pleasure to think and act locally, without losing a perspective of what needs to change globally. The very next day the same food bank’s director was on radio explaining the challenges the organization is facing. Clients’ needs for services have gone up substantially. Complicated by other demands of “competing” organizations in the community, donations of both cash and food were down. The commitment to serving people had to come first, he said. If funds didn’t arrive shortly, services would need to be cut further. They were doing everything possible to meet the needs of the voiceless poor. 

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2013 edition of the Catalyst.​​

Refugee health: Churches need to speak out

Today on Refugee Rights Day, the Canadian Council for Refugees is launching the Proud to Protect Refugees campaign with CPJ’s support. The campaign is asking organizations to make a public declaration of their support for refugees and people seeking support in Canada. Citizens for Public Justice has also sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, asking him to rescind the cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program.

Budget 2013 makes it is clear that the federal government is continuing on the same trajectory. This budget provides little hope for people concerned about poverty and the environment. Economic growth and job training are the top priorities, unfortunately at the expense of almost all else. 

Murray MacAdam, a former Catalyst editor, contributes our third 50th anniversary reflection. Some of the highlights from his time at CPJ include negotiating a major compensation agreement with the Grassy Narrows band in northwestern Ontario and an interview with the late Ted Scott, one of Canada’s leading Christian social justice advocates. 

Today, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) released the annual Alternative Federal Budget (AFB) 2013 in advance of the federal budget expected in late March. This year’s AFB, entitled, “Doing Better Together” proposes a financial plan that focuses on the public good as opposed to austerity measures that undermine growth and hurt low-income Canadians the most.