From The Catalyst, Summer 2015
Ecumenical Election Resource
CPJ has collaborated with the Canadian Council of Churches, KAIROS, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Project Ploughshares, Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, and the Church Council on Justice and Corrections on an ecumenical Federal Election Resource. This joint bulletin addresses CPJ’s core issues of poverty, climate change, and refugee rights, as well as the focus issues of our partner organizations.
As we always do in an election year, CPJ is preparing our own 2015 Election Bulletin.
CPJ on the Hill
Policy Analyst Karri Munn-Venn met with Liberal MPs David McGuinty and Kirsty Duncan to discuss what the Liberal campaign platform will have to say about climate change. CPJ staff also met with Conservative MP Brad Butt as we continued to present our “National Anti-Poverty Plan for Canada” and NDP MP Paul Dewar to discuss how faith communities can respond to the Syrian refugee crisis.
CPJ’s Executive Director, Joe Gunn, presented to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on how health is impacted by poverty and inequality in Canada. He proposed a national anti-poverty plan as a way forward.
The Dignity for All campaign presented the All-Party Anti-Poverty Caucus with 4,000 postcards that call for a national anti-poverty plan. The postcards, as well as an additional 1,300 online signatures, were gathered during Chew on This! on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, in 36 cities across the country.
Welcome Elizabeth
CPJ is glad to have Elizabeth Keith with us this summer as our Outreach Assistant Intern. Elizabeth will be assisting us in our communications work as we prepare for the 2015 federal election.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission recently concluded in Ottawa. On May 31, CPJ joined with faith leaders, public officials, and other Canadians in the Walk for Reconciliation, an opportunity to learn from each other and build relationships. The walk was designed to transform and renew the very essence of relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
CPJ on the Road
This spring, CPJ and Canada Without Poverty conducted workshops on our “National Anti-Poverty Plan for Canada” in Charlottetown, Halifax, and across southern Ontario in Toronto, Hamilton, Port Colborne, Windsor, Sarnia, and London. We will be travelling to Western Canada later this year. Contact CPJ to learn more.
Karri Munn-Venn was in Quebec City in April representing CPJ at the Act On Climate March and the Green Church Conference that coincided with the premiers’ meeting on climate change.
CPJ’s 2015 Annual General Meeting was held on May 28 at Talbot Street Church in London, ON. Glen Pearson of the London Food Bank delivered the keynote address. John Klein-Geltink and Sue Wilson gave the responses.
CPJ’s Updated Advocacy Toolkit
An updated version of our popular Advocacy Toolkit is now available. There are two new sections on social media and engaging youth in advocacy work. Get your copy here.