Parishioners from All Saints’ Westboro and First United Church came together with Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) on a rainy Saturday in April to consider issues in the federal election campaign through a faith-based lens and to discuss what faith communities could do to bring more attention to matters of social justice.
The Rev. Chung Yan Lam, associate incumbent at All Saints, suggested that looking at where tax dollars are spent is useful when examining priorities. For example, while the right to clean drinking water is universally accepted, even today not all Canadians have access to it.
Scott Cooper, CPJ director of communications, presenting the organisation’s election plan, suggested the best approach when speaking to candidates in each riding is to “ask good questions that get to the bigger picture and evaluating responses with evidence and the lived realities of those most impacted.”
In a series of questions focused on social justice, the plan recommended asking candidates to provide their party’s position on “increasing the percentage of affordable, non-profit rental housing units and investing in related necessary infrastructure.”
On climate change, they suggested asking how each party will ensure that a transition to a low-carbon economy genuinely leaves no one behind.
On migrants and refugees, there is a question about what measures will be taken to combat discrimination and racism. Full details including tips for evaluating answers are available at cpj.ca
A sort of unofficial keynote was struck by Judith King Matheson of Outaouais Wellness Learning who made an impassioned plea to get out the vote. Ordinary grassroots folk can make a difference, she said, by raising awareness. “A lot of us are not even aware of what’s happening in our own backyards.”
The gathering broke into six small groups, first to reflect on the foundation for the faith of each of the participants and then to answer the question, “What is this election about for your community?”
Answers ranged widely from Canada’s sovereignty and the need for protection against the U.S. to health care shortcomings, interprovincial trade barriers, to the future of Canada Post.
For some it was about the roots of homelessness, the cost of living, income inequality, inadequate resources for retraining and education.
The CPJ’s election plan noted that Canada has been playing catch-up on affordability and the right to an adequate standard of living. “We are now losing affordable units faster than we can build new ones.”
Based in Ottawa, Citizens for Public Justice is a national organisation that seeks to use research, analysis and public debate to influence government policies. Similar Faithful Election Conversations to the one at All Saints are being held across the country.
Attendees were invited to support the campaign of CPJ and other Christian organisations of Jubilee 2025: Turn Debt into Hope! — a global movement to end the mounting debt crisis.
Saint John, Innisville — Deanery of the Southwest