Deborah Mebude

Budget 2022 was announced in a moment of multiple overlapping crises. In Canada and across the world we are living with rising costs of living, social and political unrest, and an ever-accelerating climate crisis, all in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Ahead of the budget, CPJ called for an approach that would reflect the…

CPJ’s Public Justice Internship Program provides a university graduate with the opportunity to explore the meaning of public justice and join us in Ottawa for a one-year, paid internship.

Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations February 2022 Download the brief (PDF) In the context of the Pre-Budget Consultations 2022, Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) presents a series of recommendations to the Department of Finance that uphold the principles of climate justice, equity, inclusion, and human flourishing. Following a tradition of several years, CPJ…

We come together as representatives of Baha’í, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faith traditions out of a shared concern for the dignity and humanity of refugee claimants and other newcomers to Canada. Our diverse faiths urge us to uphold the human rights of those seeking safety or a better life, and to denounce instances…

Keeping with a tradition begun by Prime Minister Trudeau in 2015, mandate letters for federal Cabinet Ministers were shared publicly on December 17, 2021. These letters provide Canadians with an overview of the government’s key priorities for the new parliamentary session, and signal areas of responsibility for each Minister, as well as some key targets…

At the close of Governor General Mary Simon’s first Speech from the Throne, she called on parliamentarians to “be equal to the profound trust bestowed on you by Canadians,” and wished that Divine Providence guide them in all their duties. For Citizens for Public Justice, this resonates deeply. A parliament worthy of trust is precisely…

Alok Sharma, the British MP serving as President of COP26, was visibly shaken as he gaveled the adoption of the Glasgow Climate Pact on Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of a challenging two weeks of negotiations at COP26, the UN Climate Conference.

RCMP action on Wet’suwet’en territory violates Indigenous rights and is incompatible with climate justice. CPJ continues to stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people. We join ecumenical colleagues and friends in issuing an ecumenical letter of solidarity. Read the letter (PDF). “Moricetown” by Sam Beebe is licensed under CC BY

Today, September 30th, marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today we reflect on the devastating effects of on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Turtle Island, with particular attention to how this was carried out through the residential school system. We recognize that the violence of colonialism and residential schools is…

CPJ was happy to collaborate with the Martin Luther University’s Centre for Public Ethics, the Baha’i Community of Canada, and Centre Oblat – A Voice for Justice, to host a thoughtful exchange between representatives of Canada’s four major parties on several key issues of particular interest to Canada’s faith communities – Indigenous Reconciliation, Climate Justice,…

Like many others, I was shocked, saddened, and at a loss for words when I heard of Stephen’s tragic and sudden passing. Alongside my former colleagues at Citizens for Public Justice, I continue to grieve this loss of life amongst the ongoing inequities and injustices of the COVID-19 pandemic. While working together at CPJ, Stephen…

As a small child, I attended a church where members greeted each other as family. I had many “aunts” and “uncles” who I sat with during services while my mom would provide ASL interpretation. One perspective would be that this group of Deaf members, sitting at the front right edge of the church, was on…