When the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) was announced in the 2024 federal budget, it got a lot of us excited. A survey by Angus Reid showed that a huge majority of Canadians—nine-in-ten—were on board with the idea. Even with all that enthusiasm, many people were skeptical about whether this benefit…
In this policy brief, Asvini Uthayakumaran delves into the oppressive labour conditions experienced by predominantly racialized temporary foreign workers (TFWs). These conditions are the result of two central features of the TFWP: (1) the denial of permanent immigration status and (2) the use of employer-tied/closed work permits. Both of these features work in tandem to deny migrant workers basic rights and keep them in the margins of Canadian society.
Make the CDB What it was Meant to Be! Did you know that an estimated 16.8% of people with a disability in Canada live in poverty, compared to 9.3% of people without a disability? When the federal government passed legislation to create the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), there was a…
CPJ has presented its pre-budget submission with recommendations for Budget 2025, which will be the final budget that will be set before the next federal election. In our submission, we urge the federal government to: Read the Summary Recommendations below or the full document. Summary of Recommendations
When your house is burning, you act. Our hearts ache for Jasper and all communities across Canada experiencing extreme weather events and raging forest fires as a direct impact of the climate crisis. Citizens for Public Justice joins eighty other organizations calling for immediate government action to regulate fossil fuel…
John Olthuis, a prominent lawyer and recent Member of the Order of Canada, has dedicated over 30 years to advocating for Indigenous rights in Canada. His significant contributions include high-profile legal cases and mentorship for Indigenous lawyers. Motivated by his Christian values, he co-founded Citizens for Public Justice with Gerald Vandezande and Jim Visser and played a crucial role in establishing Indigenous rights in Canada’s constitution.
Natalie’s compelling reflections emphasize the need for intentional cross-sector connections in an increasingly polarized world. She advocates for mutual care and understanding, highlighting the importance of inclusive policy-making that centers on the most marginalized communities.
From coast, to coast, to coast, for over sixty years, Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) has been inspired by faith to act for social and environmental justice in Canadian public policy. ‘Give it up for the Earth!’, CPJ’s annual Lenten environmental campaign, brings faithful communities together to commit to individual carbon reductions, to call for a just transition towards a sustainable and equitable economy, and to champion policies that will preserve the beauty, complexity, and life-sustaining nature of God’s creation. ‘Give it up for the Earth!’ is not simply a campaign; it’s a national movement driven by faith, hope, and the unwavering belief that together, we can build sufficient momentum towards climate justice in Canada. Your participation is a profound testament to elected officials that faith communities are not just concerned about the state of the planet, but are also committed to a mission of stewardship, fiercely determined to safeguard the intricate harmony of nature that is essential for the flourishing of all creation.
CPJ joins other Canadian faith-based communities to call upon Canada to develop and implement A National Plan for Asylum with Dignity. As a signatory to both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention, Canada must ensure that it is upholding the rights of those fleeing persecution. Show your support by signing our Inter-faith Campaign for asylum with dignity.
Let’s unite our voices for Asylum with Dignity! CPJ is calling for broad inter-faith support to advance the rights of refugee claimants. Canada maintains the reputation as a global leader in refugee resettlement. However, refugee claimants – those who seek protection at our borders or from inside the country – face significant challenges upon arrival. Individuals fleeing persecution are left with inadequate housing and social support leaving them to navigate a complex and daunting system on their own.
We are calling on all faith leaders, religious organizations, and members of faith communities across the country to join this campaign! We demand the implementation of a comprehensive plan that addresses critical gaps in the reception and support of refugee claimants.
