CPJ Released a Report in 2014 Entitled Gruner Was Confident That the Govern- the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Private Sponsorship and Public Policy
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the CatalystCitizens for Public Justice Spring 2016 Pub. Mail Agreement no: 40022119 Refugee Health Care Fully Restored By Rachel DeBruyn The federal government will fully restore CPJ released a report in 2014 entitled Gruner was confident that the govern- the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Private Sponsorship and Public Policy. It ment would follow through with their com- to all refugees starting April 1, 2016. stated that roughly one-third of church- mitment to fully reinstate refugee health connected refugee sponsorship agree- coverage. However, before McCallum’s “Canadians from many walks of life, from ment holders had groups decrease or announcement was released, he noted premiers to front-line health care profes- end their involvement in sponsoring that the timing of their action was becom- sionals to Canadians who privately spon- refugees because of the liability created ing crucial. sor refugees, spoke with one voice in re- by lack of refugee health coverage. jecting the changes made to the Interim “Both providers and patients are still con- Federal Health Program in 2012,” said Health care coverage needed to be re- fused as to whether a certain type of John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, stored, so CPJ and a wealth of other or- refugee can claim coverage,” Gruner Refugees and Citizenship. “We have lis- ganizations spoke out. The Proud to Pro- stated at the time. tened, and coverage will be restored.” tect Refugees Campaign, launched by the Canadian Council for Refugees with the In November, the government gave cov- Citizens for Public Justice is celebrating, support of CPJ, called for organizations to erage to all Syrian refugees. Now that and across Canada refugees and their make a public declaration of their support the government has committed to com- sponsors are sighing in relief—they no for refugees in Canada. CPJ sent two let- pletely reverse the cuts, privately-spon- longer need to worry about how they will ters to then-Citizenship and Immigration sored refugees and claimants from coun- pay for their health needs. Minister Jason Kenney, calling for the cuts tries other than Syria will finally receive to be rescinded. coverage. The IFHP cuts removed supplemental benefits (including prescription medica- CPJ also assisted in organizing a state- It appears that Gruner’s concerns will soon tion, eye care, emergency dental care, ment on Human Rights Day in 2013, de- be resolved. He remains optimistic that prosthetics, and counselling) for privately- manding that the government reverse the practitioners, clinics, and policy-makers sponsored refugees. They also com- cuts. The heads of the Anglican, Presby- can work together to improve the system. pletely removed health care coverage for terian, United, and Lutheran churches in rejected claimants and claimants from Canada signed on. CPJ rejoices that its voice – and the voice Designated Countries of Origin – coun- of many concerned citizens and organiza- tries that don’t produce many refugees Doug Gruner, an assistant professor at tions – was heard, changes were made, and that respect human rights. the University of Ottawa, has been deeply and justice is being restored. involved with the Canadian Doctors for Refugees that fell into these categories ei- Refugee Care. When he spoke at CPJ’s Rachel DeBruyn is the Communications ther had to find a way to pay for their 2014 Annual General Meeting, he raised Intern at Citizens for Public Justice. health care, or go without. numerous concerns over the cuts. 309 Cooper Street, #501 In Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0G5 tel.: 613-232-0275 Review toll-free: 1-800-667-8046 email: [email protected] CPJ on the Hill Welcome Chris and Rachel web: www.cpj.ca CPJ presented our Call for Climate Action CPJ is very excited to have two new in- to Catherine McKenna, Minister of the terns join us this spring! Citizens for Public Justice’s mission Environment and Climate Change. The is to promote public justice in petition called on the federal government Chris Hynes, our Social Work Intern, is Canada by shaping key public policy to develop an ambitious Canadian green- completing a BSW at Carleton University. debates through research and house gas emissions reduction target. He is working with CPJ on the Dignity for analysis, publishing, and public All campaign and assisting us in our anti- dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, poverty work. leaders in society, and governments to support policies and practices Rachel DeBruyn is our Communications which reflect God’s call for love, Intern. She is currently a student at Re- justice, and the flourishing of deemer University College and is in Ot- creation. tawa as part of the Laurentian Leadership Centre. Rachel will be assisting CPJ in CPJ annual membership fee our outreach to churches and schools as includes the Catalyst: well as conducting research and writing on $50 / $25 (low-income) refugee rights. Spring 2016 (Volume 39, Number 1) ISSN 0824-2062 CPJ in the Community Agreement no. 40022119 In February, CPJ submitted our pre-budget In early March, Karri Munn-Venn was at Editor: Brad Wassink brief, Making Real Change for the Com- Redeemer University College in Ancaster, mon Good, to the House of Commons Fi- Ont. She presented to a third-year sociol- Cover image: Doug Gruner speaks nance Committee. It identified key commit- ogy class and talked about CPJ’s involve- at the National Day of Action on ments made by this government that would ment, as a faith-based organization, in the Parliament Hill. advance public justice in Canada, including environmental justice movement. measures the federal government could take towards eradicating poverty in the Catalyst, a publication of Canada and limiting global warming to Citizens for Public Justice, reports 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels. on public justice issues in Canada and reviews CPJ activities. Joe Gunn presented at the Ontario Gov- ernment’s Pre-Budget Consultations in the Catalyst subscription: Ottawa on behalf of the Inter-Faith Social $20 (three issues) Assistance Reform Coalition. The brief, Making the Best Investment Possible: the Catalyst is also available electronically. If you would prefer to People, noted that budgets reflect what In March, CPJ co-hosted Climate Action receive an electronic copy of the we truly value. ISARC proposed that our after Paris, an event in Ottawa that fo- Catalyst, simply contact us at governments and societies can always cused on responses to the Paris Agree- [email protected]. find the resources they need for their pri- ment. Dennis Gruending interviewed orities and can therefore afford to do more Mardi Tindal (former moderator of The Connect with us online to help people living in poverty. United Church of Canada) about her expe- rience attending COP21. Karri Munn- facebook.com/ CRA Audits of Charities Venn (above) led a discussion of next citizensforpublicjustice CPJ welcomed news in January that the steps for Canadian communities of faith federal government will end its program of with Graham Saul (Ecology Ottawa), and twitter.com/publicjustice auditing charities for their political activity. Tony Clarke (Polaris Institute). CPJ raised concerns about this program in our 2015 Election Bulletin and recently CPJ’s Darlene O’Leary, along with spoke with CBC News and the Canadian Megan Hooft of Canada Without Poverty, Press about what this new policy means presented a webinar entitled Charity to for charities going forward. Justice for the United Church of Canada. the Catalyst Spring 2016 2 COP21: Three Next Steps for Churches By Miriam Mahaffy Last year saw climate change become a mainstream issue. In- food come from? How do you get to worship? Make it a fun com- ternational leaders gathered to negotiate the Paris Agreement at petition between members or churches to reduce energy con- the COP21 climate negotiations. The Pope delivered his en- sumption. cyclical, Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home, and Next, build partnerships. Ekoko the Canadian Council of says that often only one or two Church-es released a state- members of a congregation will ment, On Promoting Climate take on ecological justice work. Justice and Ending Poverty in It’s important to work together to Can-ada. Faith leaders have build momentum, capacity, and declared that climate change excitement for change. is a moral issue requiring concrete action. Finally, view your church infra- structure and community as an However, brave words in le- asset. FCG’s Mission per Square gal documents or religious Foot program helps faith groups declarations alone won’t rejuvenate church buildings to achieve climate justice. It re- meet community needs in a sus- quires countries, communi- tainable manner. ties, and individuals to cou- rageously embody these For a congregation that is just be- intentions. As our world con- CPJ and faith groups join the 100% Possible March for Climate Solutions ginning to look at church greening, and Justice in Ottawa on November 29, 2015. tinues to heat up, here are Ekoko recommends starting small three ways Canadian Christians can turn bold words into mean- and simple, based on the interests and excitement of those in- ingful action on climate change. volved. Pray: Incorporate Climate Justice Into Worship Advocate: Call for Policy Change Climate themes can be incorporated into worship in many differ- As seekers of justice, churches have the opportunity and respon- ent ways—big and small. (On page 4, you’ll find a few examples sibility to hear and amplify the call for action coming from those of how faith communities used CPJ’s Prayers for COP21 in Paris most affected by climate change. Church greening is an impor- resources during the climate negotiations.) tant part of national action on climate change, but to see climate justice realized, we need far-reaching systemic changes. By using prayers and readings focused on creation, churches can invite individuals to engage with the complexities of this global is- This means international coordination, as well as policy change sue at a personal level.