On the Hill
In March, CPJ’s senior policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn and public justice intern Keira Kang joined Climate Action Network Canada’s Day on the Hill. They met with Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, NDP MPs Peter Julian and Laurel Collins, and Green MP Elizabeth May to talk about the actions Canada needs to take to meet and exceed our climate commitments.
Barriers to Integration
CPJ published “Barriers to Integration: Social Exclusion Among Refugees in Canada,” a report from our Fall 2019 social work intern Halima Abdille. The report explores the challenges and discrimination that refugees face when integrating into Canadian society, with a particular emphasis on their ability to find employment.
In the Community
On January 22, CPJ hosted Seeking Justice, a one-day conference in Ottawa to explore how systemic injustice can manifest itself in our city and our churches. Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey delivered the keynote address on “Racism, White Privilege and the Invention of the Myth of ‘Race.’”
Karri Munn-Venn spoke to the January 25 gathering of the A Rocha Ottawa Chapter as part of their Climate Science and Christianity event. She was part of a panel that responded to a video presentation by evangelical climage scientist, Dr. Katherine Hayhoe titled “Christians, Climate Change and our Culture,” where she highlighted CPJ’s Give it up for the Earth! campaign as a response to the Christian call to climate action.
Natalie Appleyard, CPJ’s socio-economic policy analyst, attended the Kenosis Retreat, a weekend exploring healthy ways for white settlers to support people of colour in anti-racism work in Canada, with co-facilitation and accountability provided by people of colour. Natalie later shared reflections from this retreat with attendees at a GBA + Conference in Ottawa on a panel focused on intersectionality.
On February 21, Karri spoke as part of a panel at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ottawa Student Seminar. The panel offered reflections on the inner workings of social justice organizations and campaigns, highlighting the challenges and tremendous rewards of civil society engagement in working for social change.
In February and March, CPJ welcomed Tony Campolo to the Vancouver area for several events exploring “why Christians should be involved in seeking social justice.” Dr. Campolo spoke at New Life CRC in Abbotsford, Hope Community Church in Surrey, the Vancouver School of Theology, and Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver. CPJ is planning more events with Tony later this year. Sign-up for JusticE-News, our e-newsletter to make sure you hear about upcoming events!
Natalie spoke at Trinity United Church in Ottawa on Sunday, February 9. Using the parable of the sower, she invited people to consider how we can hear and act on the good news of the kingdom of God by addressing poverty and injustice.
Staff Updates
In January, CPJ welcomed Jackie Romero as our social work intern from Carleton University. Jackie brings a rich experience in front-line refugee resettlement as she joins CPJ’s refugee rights work.
