Citizens for Public Justice

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ)
Abbreviation CPJ
Formation 1963
Type non-profit organization
Location
  • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Fields Canadian Social & Environmental Public Policy
Director
 Joe Gunn
Website www.cpj.ca

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is an ecumenical, non-profit organization that promotes justice in Canadian public policy through research and analysis.[1] Their current work is focused on poverty reduction, ecological justice, and refugee rights. CPJ defines Public Justice as the political dimension of loving one’s neighbor, caring for creation, and achieving the common good.[2]

In 2013, Citizens for Public Justice celebrated its 50th anniversary.[3]

History

1960s: Founding

CPJ was founded in Toronto in 1963 as the Committee for Justice and Liberty (CJL Foundation) by Gerald Vandezande.[4] In 1971, it merged with the Alberta-based Christian Action Foundation, led by John Olthuis who joined Vandezande in Toronto.[5]

1970s: Mackenzie Valley Pipeline

In the 1970s, the CJL Foundation campaigned against the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, which would have been built through the traditional land of the Dene people in the Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest Territories in order to send fossil fuels from the Beaufort Sea to American consumers. Appearing before the Berger Inquiry, the CJL Foundation called for a 10-year moratorium on the projects.[6] This was reiterated by John Olthuis, Hugh McCullum, and Karmel McCullum in their book Moratorium and later become a major recommendation of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry by Justice Thomas R. Berger.[7] Tommy Douglas, leader of the NDP, asked to buy hundreds of copies of the book to distribute on Parliament Hill. Eventually, Pierre Elliott Trudeau's government declared a moratorium. This achievement is generally considered to be one of CPJ’s biggest impacts, and an early victory for the group.[8]

1980s: Grassy Narrows First Nation

In 1982, the CJL Foundation's focus shifted to federal public policy. It officially changed its name to Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) and drafted Guidelines for Christian Political Service and The Charter of Social Rights and Responsibilities.[6][9][10]

Throughout the early 1980s, CPJ opened regional offices in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, while its national office stayed in Toronto. Kathy Vandergrift, a staffer in the Edmonton office, was named Edmonton’s Citizen of the Year for proposing what turned into the Blue Box Recycling Program. CPJ was very involved in the push to get that program implemented, conducting workshops in schools & churches, distributing brochures, and forming the Edmonton Recycling Society, who would run the first recycling centre.[11]

In 1980, Olthuis began representing the Grassy Narrows First Nation whose homeland had been contaminated with mercury. In 1985, a compensation settlement was reached.[12]

During this time, CPJ proposed a national Social Development and Job Creation fund. Then, in 1986, CPJ introduced the idea of a government tithe, whereby the government would use 10% of its budget to help the poor. The Toronto Star gave the idea front page coverage, and it was covered by other secular and Christian media as it had received support from Christian leaders.[13]

In 1988, Harry Kits became CPJ's Executive Director.[14]

1990s: Child poverty and refugee rights

In 1991, CPJ closed its regional offices and moved all of its operations back to Toronto.[14][15] In doing this they also changed their work to focus on a few key issues in order to get more in depth with each one. This led to more attention being put on research and education around refugee rights and poverty in Canada.

In the 1990s, CPJ focused on aboriginal rights, poverty, and refugee rights. It was vocal in its support of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.[16] Later in the early 2000s, CPJ opposed the widely criticized British Columbia aboriginal treaty referendum around First Nations treaty rights.[17][18]

In 1998, CPJ and Campaign 2000 launched "Let’s Invest in Canada’s Children," a campaign to end child poverty in Canada. CPJ, The Canadian Islamic Congress, and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism appeared jointly in front of the House of Commons Finance Committee to emphasize the inter-faith support for anti-poverty measures.[19]

From 1995 to 2000, CPJ spoke out against the so-called "head tax," the Right of Landing fee of $975 charged to Convention refugees upon arrival.[20] This fee was removed in the 2000 federal budget.[21] They had also been working on the student loans for refugees issue, and saw a victory on that in the early 2000s.

2000s: Move to Ottawa

The new millennium marked many changes for CPJ. In August 22, 2001, Vandezande received the Order of Canada.[22] They were recognized with a certificate of appreciation from the Somali Canadian Advocacy Network for their refugee work,[23] which continued throughout the decade. CPJ also dove into poverty work, educating the public and conducting research on this issue. This all led up to the launch of the Dignity for All campaign in 2009.[24]

CPJ moved their headquarters from Toronto to Ottawa in 2007. One of the main reasons behind the move was that CPJ felt that, since they focused mainly on federal issues, being closer to Parliament could help their cause. Their announcement explained that "public justice calls us to be where the conversations are happening and to bring our more than 40 years of insight, analysis and tested positions. CPJ has a vision of Canada that embraces pluralism, that asks who benefits from policies, and that puts forward helpful alternatives. A national office in Ottawa will let us advance that vision more effectively."[25]

The move was accompanied by staff changes, and in 2008 Joe Gunn became the Executive Director of CPJ.[26]

CPJ's founder Gerald Vandezande died in 2011 at the age of 77,[4][6] but his legacy continues through the work of CPJ.

Mission

CPJ’s official mission statement is: To promote public justice in Canada by shaping key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing, and public dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, leaders in society, and governments to support policies and practices which reflect God’s call for love, justice, and stewardship.[27]

Board

CPJ’s board of directors is made up of 14 representatives from all regions of Canada. Directors can sit a maximum of two three-year terms.[28]

Current work

Poverty

In 2009, Citizens for Public Justice and Canada Without Poverty founded Dignity for All, a non-partisan campaign which calls for a poverty-free Canada by the year 2020.[29]

The campaign has been endorsed by over 144 MPs and Senators, including NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau, Green Party leader Elizabeth May, Marc Garneau, Hon. Scott Brison, Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Hon. Janis Johnson, Scott Armstrong, Hon. Gerry Byrne, Hon. Irwin Cotler, Nathan Cullen, Hon. John McCallum, Joyce Murray, Peggy Nash, and Charlie Angus. As well, over 600 organizations and 10,000 individuals have signed the Dignity for All call to action.[30]

In 2011, CPJ helped to gather interfaith leaders in Ottawa to sign the Interfaith Declaration on Poverty in Canada. Signatories included the Canadian Council of Churches, The Canadian Interfaith Delegation – World Religions Summit 2010, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the Dignity for All campaign.[31]

In 2012, CPJ assisted in establishing the All-Party Anti-Poverty Caucus. The group, made up of MPs and Senators of all parties, meets regularly to discuss concrete policy proposals that will end poverty in Canada.[32]

Every year on October 17, the Dignity for All campaign marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with events across Canada.[33]

Ecological justice

Building on its history of environmental engagement – including the successful call for a moratorium on the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline in the 1970s and the introduction of municipal recycling programs in the 1980s - CPJ supports effective action to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[34] CPJ is a member of the Climate Action Network Canada.[35]

CPJ is an affiliate member of the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC).[36] In 2011, CPJ and the CCC developed the Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change, an ecumenical statement endorsed by over 60 faith institutions in Canada.[37]

In 2013, CPJ's Executive Director, Joe Gunn, contributed a chapter entitled "Taxes and Ecological Justice?" to the book, The Great Revenue Robbery from Canadians for Tax Fairness.[38]

Refugees

CPJ has spoken out against policies that disregard refugee rights in Canada including cuts to the Interim Federal Health program,[39] changes to the age of dependency,[40] and the designated country of origin regulations.[41]

In 2013, CPJ joined the Canadian Council for Refugees' Proud to Protect Refugees campaign.[42] CPJ was also involved in getting church leaders to sign onto the 2013 Human Rights Day Statement which included 47 prominent signatories.[43]

Other issues

CPJ also comments on other issues such as:

Research

The Burden of Poverty

In October 2014, CPJ released "The Burden of Poverty: A Snapshot of Poverty Across Canada." The report shows the unequal impact of poverty on certain groups, such as new immigrants, families led by single mothers, un-attached adults, youth, and Aboriginal people. It also presents poverty rates for each province and territory as well as 32 communities across Canada.[50]

Private Sponsorship and Public Policy

In September 2014, CPJ released "Private Sponsorship and Public Policy: Political barriers to church-connected refugee resettlement in Canada," a survey of church-connected sponsorship agreement holders (SAHs) that identified several political obstacles to refugee resettlement in Canada.[51]

Poverty Trends Scorecard

In October 2012, CPJ released "Poverty Trends Scorecard: Canada 2012" report, showing poverty statistics in Canada from year to year. This data was updated and released again in October 2013 in "Poverty Trends Highlights 2013."[52]

Throughout 2013, CPJ released three more in-depth reports as part of its Poverty Trends Scorecard series:[53]

Poverty at Your Doorstep

In 2013, in cooperation with World Vision Canada, CPJ produced "Poverty at Your Doorstep," a set of reports looking at poverty in the cities of Vancouver, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, and Montreal.[54]

Position papers and backgrounders

From 2008 to 2012, CPJ developed a series of seven backgrounders and position papers on various public policy issues. The topics include guaranteed annual income, housing and homelessness, electoral reform, poverty, early childhood education and care, taxation, and carbon pricing.[55]

Publications

The Catalyst

CPJ's publishes "The Catalyst" three times per year. The first edition was published in 1978.[56] It includes feature articles on faith and Canadian public policy as well as current activities and events at CPJ. The Catalyst regularly wins awards at the Canadian Church Press annual award ceremony.[57]

Books

By Brian J. Walsh, J. Richard Middleton, Mark Vander Vennen Edited by Sylvia Keesmaat. This republication of "The Advent of Justice" celebrates more than 50 years of faithful witness for justice by CPJ. In this book of reflections, four friends come together to lead us more deeply into Advent as a time of profound hope for the coming of God's good kingdom of shalom while also a time of lament and anguish in the face of injustice.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Mishka Lysack and Karri Munn-Venn. "Living Ecological Justice" is a worship and action guide for churches and small groups. It is made up of three sections entitled, "Protecting What We Love," "The Biblical Case for Creation Advocacy," and "Towards Abundant Life for All Creation."[60]
Edited by Rev. Adam Snook and Karri Munn-Venn. Like "Living Ecological Justice," "Living Justice" is also book of reflections, prayers, and actions for churches and small groups. It includes four parts on material, emotional, community, and spiritual poverty.
By Bob Goudzwaard and Leo Andringa.
By John Bird, Lorraine Land, and Murray MacAdam. "Nation to Nation" is a compilation of 18 articles that give an overview of Aboriginal-Canadian relations and proposals for the future. Topics covered include the Innu struggle, residential schools, the Nisga'a treaty, land claims, women and self-government, the birth of Nunavut, and solidarity strategies.
By Gerald Vandezande. "Justice, Not Just Us" includes a collection of essays that outline a public justice approach to such issues as child poverty, economic inequality, national unity, and educational injustice.
By Brian Walsh, Richard Middleton, Mark Vander Vennen, and Sylvia Keesmaat. The Advent of Justice was published in 1993 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the CJL Foundation and Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ).
By Gerald Vandezande.
By Hugh McCullum, Karmel McCullum, and John Olthuis.

Funding

CPJ is a registered charity in Canada. Its work is funded through donations from private individuals and members, as well as from churches and foundational grants.

References

  1. ↑ Carlson-Thies, Stanley W.; Skillen, James W. (1996). Welfare in America. Wm. B Eerdmans. p. 111. ISBN 9780802841278.
  2. ↑ "Contributing to the Common Good" (PDF). August 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  3. ↑ Epp, Aaron (May 9, 2013). "Citizens for Public Justice celebrates the past, looks to the future". Christian Week (Winnipeg, MB). Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Volman, Ben (August 10, 2011). "Remembering Gerald Vandezande". Christian Week (Winnipeg, MB). Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  5. ↑ Gruending, Dennis (June 12, 2008). "Citizens for Public Justice questions tar sands". Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Volman, Ben (July–August 2009). "Canada's Unassuming Prophet". Faith Today (Richmond Hill, ON). p. 25. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  7. 1 2 McCullum, Hugh; McCullum, Karmel; Olthuis, John (1977). Moratorium: Justice, Energy, the North, and the Native People. Toronto, ON: Anglican Book Centre. ISBN 0-919030-17-3.
  8. 1 2 3 Bird, John; Land, Lorraine; MacAdam, Murray (2002). Nation to Nation: Aboriginal Sovereignty and the Future of Canada. Toronto,ON: Irwin Publishing. ISBN 0-7725-2918-3.
  9. ↑ Bauman, Richard W.; Kahana, Tsvi (2006). The Least Examined Branch The Role of Legislatures in the Constitutional State. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521859549.
  10. 1 2 Vandezande, Gerald (1983). Christians in the Crisis: Toward Responsible Citizenship. Toronto, ON: Anglican Book Centre.
  11. ↑ Gunn, Joe (Summer 2013). "Reaching for Right Relationships: CPJ at 50" (PDF). The Catalyst (Ottawa, ON). Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ Vecsey, Christopher (Autumn 1987). "Grassy Narrows Reserve: Mercury Pollution, Social Disruption, and Natural Resources: A Question of Autonomy" (PDF). American Indian Quarterly 11 (4). pp. 287–314. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ MacAdam, Murray (March 14, 2013). "50th Anniversary Reflection". Citizens for Public Justice. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Kits, Harry (December 23, 2013). "Building public justice together: CPJ’s 50th anniversary" (PDF). Christian Courier (St. Catharines, ON). Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  15. ↑ Lyon, David; Van Die, Marguerite (2000). Rethinking Church, State, and Modernity: Canada Between Europe and America. University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division. ISBN 0802082130.
  16. ↑ Land, Lorraine (January 1997). "Recipe for Assimilation or a New Relationship? The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report". The Catalyst (Ottawa, ON). Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Referendum on Treaty Negotiations: Make your vote count for justice" (PDF). 2002. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  18. ↑ Ramsay, Heather (April 8, 2005). "Candidates Court First Nations Voters". The Tyee. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Child Poverty in Canada". Friday Magazine (Saskatoon, SK). November 19, 1999. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  20. ↑ Kits, Harry. "Betwixt and Between: Refugees and Stateless Persons in Limbo". Refuge (Toronto, ON). Volume 22, No. 2. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Ending limbo for refugees" (PDF). Maytree Foundation. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Order of Canada Gerald Vandezande, C.M.". 2001. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  23. ↑ The Catalyst, April–May 2001. Retrieved on June 12, 2014.
  24. ↑ Dignity for All, retrieved July 20, 2015.
  25. ↑ Mackey, Lloyd (July 5, 2007). "OttawaWatch: Some Canada Day highlights". Canadian Christianity (Vancouver, BC). Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Press Release: CPJ Board announces new Executive Director". Ottawa, ON: Citizens for Public Justice. April 29, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Partner Organizations - Christian Reformed Church". Christian Reformed Church in North America. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Board of Directors". Ottawa, ON: Citizens for Public Justice. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  29. ↑ "About Dignity for All". Dignity for All. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Federal Political Endorsements". Dignity for All. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Interfaith Declaration on Poverty in Canada". Canadian Council of Churches. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  32. ↑ van Wensem, Casey (2012). "Political advocacy in dysfunctional times". Canadian Mennonite (Winnipeg, MB). Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Food Bank Volunteers Fed Up with Government Inaction". PR Newswire (Ottawa, ON). October 16, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  34. ↑ Swift, Richard, ed. (2013). "The Great Revenue Robbery: How to Stop the Tax Cut Scam and Save Canada". Between the Lines. pp. 101–112. ISBN 978-1-77113-103-2.
  35. ↑ "Our Members - Climate Action Network Canada". Climate Action Network Canada. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Members - Canadian Council of Churches". Canadian Council of Churches. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change" (PDF). Canadian Council of Churches. December 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  38. ↑ Swift, Richard (2013). The Great Revenue Robbery: How to Stop the Tax Cut Scam and Save Canada. Toronto, ON: Between the Lines.
  39. ↑ Wassink, Brad (June 20, 2013). "Changing the way we talk about refugees". Victoria Times Colonist. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  40. ↑ Chapman, Ashley (July 26, 2014). "Canada tightens rules on immigrant and refugee children". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  41. ↑ Gunn, Joe (March 12, 2012). "New bill threatens vulnerable women, children, refugees". Western Catholic Reporter. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  42. ↑ Gunn, Joe (November 11, 2013). "Canada, avoid being part of 'globalization of indifference'". Western Catholic Reporter. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  43. ↑ Chapman, Ashley (December 10, 2013). "Human Rights Day Statement: What About Refugee Rights?". Citizens for Public Justice. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  44. ↑ "National housing strategy needed". Welland Tribune. February 27, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Canadian Political Primer on Guaranteed Livable Income". Livable for All. September 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  46. ↑ Lewchuk, Simon (January 1, 2014). "Budget Watch 2014: The Need For Visionary Leadership". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  47. ↑ Vandeaznde, Gerald (May 1, 1998). "Legal equality in a pluralistic society". Anglican Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  48. ↑ Gunn, Joe (March 25, 2014). "The moral case for Fair Elections". Rabble. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  49. ↑ Pasma, Chandra (Summer 2011). "Taxes and Democracy: Two Sides of the Same Coin". The Catalyst. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  50. ↑ Vandergrift, Janelle (October 17, 2014). "Opinion: Food banks were supposed to be temporary". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  51. ↑ Gunn, Joe (September 8, 2014). "You Might Think Canada Is Doing its Best to Help Refugees, But You'd Be Wrong". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  52. ↑ Gyapong, Deborah (October 25, 2013). "CPJ Poverty Trends Highlights 2013 show decrease in poverty rates". The B.C. Catholic Paper. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Income and Wealth Inequalty". Canadian Social Research Links. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  54. ↑ "New report puts Canadian poverty under microscope". CNW. March 27, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Position Papers & Backgrounders". Citizens for Public Justice. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  56. ↑ "CPJ: A rose by any other name" (PDF). Citizens for Public Justice. January 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  57. ↑ "CCP Member Publication". Canadian Church Press. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  58. ↑ "The Advent of Justice". Wipf and Stock Publishers. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Living Ecological Justice: A Biblical Response To The Environmental Crisis". United Church Resource Distribution. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  60. ↑ "Living Ecological Justice". Canadian Religious Conference. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  61. ↑ Sison, Marites N. "Booklet aimed at inspiring action against poverty". Anglican Journal (Toronto, ON).
  62. ↑ Goudzwaard, Bob; Andringa, Leo (2003). Globalization and Christian Hope. Toronto, ON: Public Justice Resource Centre.
  63. ↑ Vandezande, Gerald (1999). Justice, Not Just Us: Faith Perspectives and National Priorities. Toronto, ON: Public Justice Resource Centre. ISBN 0-9686695-0-6.
  64. ↑ Walsh, Brian; Middleton, Richard; Vander Vennen, Mark; Keesmaat, Sylvia (1993). The Advent of Justice: A Book of Meditations. Toronto, ON: CJL Foundation.

External links

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