General

From the Catalyst, Summer 2015

Canadian Medicare: We Need It and We Can Keep It
By Stephen Duckett and Adrian Peetoom

McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2013

Reviewed by Adrian Helleman

In this book, Stephen Duckett, an expert in public health, and Adrian Peetoom, an author and publisher who is well-known to some CPJ members, describe the current medicare system in Canada and also prescribe some much-needed improvements.

From The Catalyst, Summer 2015

Blessed are the Consumers: Climate Change and the Practice of Restraint
By Sallie McFague

Fortress Press, 2013

Reviewed by Sheila McKinley osu

Sallie McFague, Distinguished Theologian in Residence at Vancouver School of Theology, takes an uncompromising stand in Blessed are the Consumers as she challenges us to live simply. She attributes this time of ecological devastation and financial chaos to our “insatiable appetites that are literally consuming the world.” What she proposes is restraint so that abundant life might be possible for all. She approaches this idea from three perspectives.

From the Catalyst, Summer 2015

The News: A User’s Manual
By Alain de Botton

Signal, 2014

Reviewed by Brad Wassink

Given the profound impact the news has on our lives – how we use our time, spend our money, and cast our votes – the media deserves much more focus in our public justice discussions. In 1984, CPJ produced the “Charter of Social Rights and Responsibilities,” a framework for how people of faith and various organizations, including the media, should engage in public life.

• Justice Tour Visits Eight Cities in Canada by Joe Gunn
• Time for Churches to Speak as One by Glen Pearson
• Changing the Climate Debate by Karri Munn-Venn
• ​Churches Well-placed to Advocate for Refugees by Elizabeth Keith
• ​We Are More Than Taxpayers by Janelle Vandergrift
• Reflections from Justice Tour 2015 by Bishop Susan Johnson

In April and May a delegation of leaders was hosted by ecumenical committees in eight cities across Canada. At the risk of simplifying this tremendously rich experience, it could be said that the leaders heard five main messages repeated over and over again.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: May 12, 2015 – On Wednesday, May 13, 2015, a delegation of national church leaders will be in Ottawa to engage people of faith in conversations about poverty in Canada and climate change—the final stop in “Justice Tour 2015.” Each stop on the tour includes an intimate listening event in…

The Economy, the Environment, and Societal Well-Being As faithful citizens we are encouraged to seek out, debate and promote policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice, and the flourishing of Creation. Elections offer an important moment to reflect on the policy options before us. As Christians, we are urged to think beyond ourselves…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: April 10, 2015 – Beginning Monday, April 13, 2015, a delegation of national church leaders will be touring Western Canada to engage people of faith in conversations about poverty in Canada and climate change. Each stop on the tour will include an intimate listening event in the afternoon. Local faith leaders…

From April 11-14, climate change took centre stage in Québec City. I was pleased to be there representing CPJ at the #ActOnClimate march, the #ActOnClimate forum, and the Green Church conference that coincided with the premiers’ meeting on climate change. 25,000 March for Climate Action The #ActOnClimate march of environmental groups, organized labour, students, community…

• We Have a Plan by Janelle Vandergrift
• Reconciliation is Scared Work by Mike Hogeterp
• Faith Leaders Defend Syrian Muslim Refugees by Kathryn Teeluck
• Poverty Promises and Income Splitting by Sara Hildebrand
• A Home for Public Justice by Jim McIntyre
• Of Pigsties, Stewardship, and the Flourishing of Creation by Jim Dekker