An unusual person has left our company on this earth, he who was a relentless, indefatigable and blessed peace-maker. Gerald changed the direction of my life for good, as he did for many others. So as friends and acquaintances we mourn the loss of Gerald with you family members who will now miss husband, father,…
John Olthuis delivered the keynote address as CPJ’s 2013 Annual General Meeting in our 50th anniversary year in Edmonton.
In December 2011, Jason Kenney, then minister of citizenship and immigration, pledged to increase the number of refugees by 20 per cent. However, the government actually decreased the number it resettled by 26 per cent. Only 5,412 government-assisted refugees arrived in our country in 2012, the second lowest number in any one year over the last three decades.
On February 3, 2015, the Dignity for All Campaign released its long-awaited “National Anti-Poverty Plan for Canada.” Support has been widespread: over 15,000 individuals, 600 organizations, and 130 Members of Parliament and Senators have all signed on, agreeing that Canada needs a national plan to address poverty.
Last winter, my nine-year-old son accompanied me to a climate talk at our church. But rather than bored, Oscar was captivated and took to writing about climate change, flooding and drought, and the significant oil and gas reserves that must stay underground.
Then I began to worry. How much did he understand about what the world might look like when he’s my age? And did he (as I do) have faith that we could muster the ambition necessary to take action?
“My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!”
The movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy and climate solutions has exploded, growing fifty-fold in the past year. To date, 430 institutions and 2,040 individuals across 43 countries and representing $2.6 trillion in assets have committed to divest from fossil fuel companies.
Faith communities cannot, in good conscience, be strong advocates for addressing climate change while continuing to profit from fossil fuel companies.
February 2016
Read the Letter
CPJ is pleased to be signatory to a joint letter to the Prime Minister calling for bold policy measures to address climate change, reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a just transition to a clean economy.
March 2016
Read the Statement
In June of 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released 94 Calls to Action to guide us towards a repaired relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and a more just and equitable future. CPJ has released a statement in response to the TRC’s Call to Action #48 and has also endorsed the KAIROS Education for Reconciliation campaign in support of the TRC’s Call to Action #62.i.
Guiding Principle informing Climate Action: 5th Mark of Mission: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” Action on Climate Change: 2015: in a Good Friday statement facilitated by the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, bishops around the world committed to: mutual support to develop ecotheological resources…
