CPJ Co-Founder Gerald Vandez- Ande Used to Say

the

Summer 2014

1999 and 2012. During that time, the total wealth of the 100 richest Canadians went up over 75 per cent, surging past $200 bill- Catalyst ion in total. Increasingly, wealth in Canada is being concentrated in the hands of a few.

Given the debate around the middle class and the growing wealth of the richest, our challenge is to interpret the issues of the day from a framework of “justice, not ‘just us, ’ ” as CPJ co-founder Gerald Vandez- ande used to say. The middle class’ concern for their own interests is legitimate, but people of faith must put a particular emphasis on the needs of the most vulnerable and ensure their voices are heard amid the political noise.

Caring about the poor shouldn’t be a new message for Christians. The Bible is abun- dantly clear that we are required to stand against oppression and care for those who suffer . Churches have been outstanding in their efforts to support food banks and give to charities that address the immediate needs of those in poverty. But as remark- able as these efforts are, they are not eno- Minding the Margins: ugh. Until we address the many up stream causes of poverty, our communities will Christians Must Look Beyond the Middle Class con tinue to face injustice and exclusion. By Janelle Vandergrift Canadians have the opportunity to show Do you think you are part of the middle consideration of what is happening on the real concern for the most poor and vulner- class? If so, join the ranks of the ninety- margins. Canadians (and certainly Chri st- able in our country, not just the middle three per cent of Canadians who, accord- ians) sho uld be capable of more than class. We can shift our focus from an eco- ing to Environics Research , claim they fit in just concern for their own bank accounts. nomy of continual growth and scarcity to the same bracket. We must look at the bigger picture. an economy of enough . This requires an end to the greed that causes the endless Of course, ninety-three per cent represents If we do look to the margins, we see that pursuit of wealth and a recognition that a majority rather than a true “middle” class. poverty is alive and well in Canada. The there is in fact enough for people in pov- This self-reported figure may be due to the poorest fifth of Canadians must somehow erty to no longer be poor. fact that those who are poor prefer not to secure adequate housing and healthy food label themselves as such while those who on $15,100 per year (their average after- So whether or not we fall into the middle are rich may underestimate their relative tax income). Even according to the most class, Christians must become ambass- level of wealth. Nonetheless, politicians of conservative measures, nearly three adors of a new political vision that defines all stripes continue to highlight their sup- million people in Canada are poor. We are authentic security as the well-being of port for the middle class in order to court among the top ten developed countries every one, not just of some. And when these voters. As a result, recent political with the worst poverty rates and it’s esti- politicians gauge our interests, they must discourse has been consumed with who’s mated that poverty costs us between $73 know that we are mindful of the margins. in and who’s out of the middle class and billion and $86 billion each year. After all, it’s in seeking the welfare of every- how well it is doing. one that our own welfare will be found. On the other end of the spectrum, the rich The problem is that this focus on the mid- are only getting richer. According to Can- Janelle Vandergrift is a Policy Analyst at Citizens dle class assumes that Canadians vote adian Business , the number of billionaires for Public Justice. A similar version of this article primarily for their own interests, without in Canada grew from 23 to 69 between was published by Christian Week in June 2014. Brad Wassink led several workshops in Winnipeg. He took a group of young ad- ults from The Welcome Home Redemp- torist Mission through a Living Justice poverty workshop; hosted The Green Church , a discussion of Living Ecological In Justice at St. Margaret’s Anglican Chur- Editor’s ch; and led a workshop on ecological justice for the Adult Sunday School at Aber- Review deen Evangelical Mennonite Church. Note

Letters to Canadian Banks Ashley Chapman spoke on charity, just- Over the past two years, I have had the In June, CPJ wrote to the CEOs of Can- ice, and advocacy at People for Sale: pleasure of working for CPJ as both Pub- ada’s eight largest banks, commending Understanding and Challenging Modern lic Justice Intern and now as Comm un- them for introducing no-fee and low-cost Day Slavery . The week-long course was ications Coordinator. Hands down, the best bank accounts to low-income seniors, organized by PACT-Ottawa as part of part of either job is getting out of the off- youth, and students. CPJ also called on Carleton University’s enrichment program ice, meeting with members, and hearing the CEOs to extend these accounts to for high school students. your feedback. Your positive comments all low-income Canadians. encourage us to continue our work and your constructive comments guide as CPJ on the Hill 2014 Annual General Meeting we re-examine it. th The 2014 CPJ AGM was on May 29 at Dominion Chalmers United Church in CPJ staff and board members can often Ottawa. Dr. Doug Gruner from Canad- be found throughout Canada speaking ian Doctors for Refugee Care delivered a about poverty and ecological justice. I keynote titled The State of Refugee Care: was recently in Winnipeg where I met A Prognosis for Public Justice in Can- with CPJ supporters and partners. I was ada. CPJ’s Public Justice Intern, Ashley also able to introduce CPJ to some new Chapman , gave the response. people such as Alisson Chubb who con- tributed our Groundings reflection on page 12. Already this year, Joe Gunn has been to Nova Scotia, southwestern In May, Joe Gunn co-led Faith in Public: Ontario, and Edmonton. A Public Theology for a Public Faith in Canada in Ottawa alongside David Pfr- Our Annual General Meeting is always a immer of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. great opportunity for members to recon- The course looked at opportunities for nect and discuss the work of CPJ. This people of faith to create a more just and year we met in Ottawa. For those of you peaceful society. Students attended who couldn’t make it, we’ve included an Question Period and met with several excerpt from Dr. Doug Gruner’s keynote Parliamentarians, including Senator address on page 4. Grant Mitchell (pictured above), as well CPJ members elected six new Board as Dr. Andrew Bennett , Canada’s Am- CPJ is not able to get around the country Members: Thea deGroot of Sarnia, ON, bassador for Religious Freedom. Monique Verhoef of Calgary, Wayne as much as we would like. That’s what makes The Catalyst , JusticE-News (our Groot of Gibbons, AB, Patti Fitzmaurice Joe Gunn and Ben Pasha also met with monthly e-newsletter), and other comm- of Winnipeg, Jim Dekker of St. Cathar- Liberal MP John McKay in March to unications outlets so critical. ines, ON, and Adrian Helleman of Tor- discuss environmental policy. onto. Our special thanks to out going members Mark Huyser-Wierenga , Jake Welcome to CPJ! The Catalyst is a publication exclusively Kuiken , Carol Thiessen , Maylanne CPJ is excited to for CPJ’s members from across the cou- Maybee , Sister Sheila McKinley , and welcome Thomas ntry. You’ll notice that in this edition we’ve Lorraine Land for their years of faithful Coldwell as our started a new section for Letters to the service. Communications Editor . This is your space to join the con- Assist ant for six versation by responding to the articles CPJ on the Road weeks this sum- you read here. It’s also a great opportun- CPJ was one of the organizers of Are mer. Thomas will ity to highlight the many public justice act- We There Yet? , a conference held in be updating our ivities you are engaged in across Canada. Edmonton in May. Joe Gunn organized popular Advocacy the panel on Faith, Community and Cli- Toolkit and assist- We hope you’ll take advantage of this mate Change and took part in the con- ing in other comm- opportunity and contribute your voice to ference’s concluding panel. For more in- unications activities. this public justice dialogue. formation on the event, see Joe’s article on page 11. Brad Wassink the Catalyst Summer 2014 2 them to look after this new creation he Citizens for Public Justice was about to bring out, since the hu- 309 Cooper Street, #501 mans would be new and helpless to live Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0G5 in nature (no fur, no skills etc.). tel.: 613-232-0275 toll-free: 1-800-667-8046 I also appreciated the article on the theme e-mail: [email protected] of disinvestment in your Spring 2014 iss- Letters to web: www.cpj.ca ue. Nicole Armstrong’s article on profit- ing from the wreckage is a very clear the Editor summary of the divestment issue. We at Citizens for Public Justice’s mission Trinity Saint Paul’s Centre for Faith, Jus- is to promote public justice in Refugee Sponsorship tice and the Arts have been working on Canada by shaping key public policy I appreciated your articles on refugees climate change for some years and vot- debates through research and as well as poverty. ed to disinvest, as the article informs analysis, publishing, and public your readers. We are happy to be in tou- dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ch with others as a strong movement is leaders in society, and governments (CIC) provides funds to their own spon- being born. (gofossifree.com) to support policies and practices sored refugees according to the local which reflect God’s call for love, Social Services model. In Alberta, the justice, and stewardship. model is based on a formula, rather than individual needs. CPJ annual membership fee includes the Catalyst: Since housing has become so expensive, $50 / $25 (low-income) those who are unemployed (but employ- able) and in need of help are given very little to live on, requiring them to find shar- Summer 2014 (Volume 37, Number 2) ed accommodation (sometimes with par- ISSN 0824-2062 ents) or a shack or RV in a rural setting. Agreement no. 40022119 Editor: Brad Wassink The bigger cities provide free meals seven days-a-week, so it seems that Social the Catalyst, a publication of Services in Alberta depends on these Citizens for Public Justice, reports services when determining the amounts on public justice issues in Canada to give. However, housing allow ances are and reviews CPJ activities sometimes provided on an appeal basis. Nicole perhaps did not know about the Catalyst subscription: Due to the above, I have met govern- Toronto350.org. In a real sense, 350.org $20 (three issues) ment sponsored refugees with insuff- is the global link for this campaign; there icient funds to pay rent, utilities, trans- are other branches in universities across the Catalyst is also available portation, food, and other living costs to Canada. The University of Toronto stu- electronically. If you would prefer to enable them to learn English and obtain dents have petitioned the Senate of the receive an electronic copy of the jobs in a timely fashion. University to disinvest all their invest- Catalyst, simply contact us at ments from fossil fuels companies. [email protected]. Sadly, CIC seems very reluctant to discuss any of these serious problems. A Canadian network of people working on this needs to form and is, in fact, forming. Connect with us online August Guillaume There are many people involved who feel Edmonton, Alberta the extreme urgency. I trust you will con- facebook.com/ tinue to be part of it so more can benefit citizensforpublicjustice from your future articles and your well Divestment & Creation Care informed staff. Your cover article on creation and our twitter.com/publicjustice role rang some familiar bells. We were Jim Kirkwood initially created out of the earth and end- Member, Climate Justice Working Group, ed up as co-creators. Quite a climb and Trinity Saint Paul’s United Church, a success story! But could we say that Toronto instead of us caring for the earth, Mother Earth has been caring for us all along We want to hear from you! as, perhaps, the weakest species? Submit your letters to Brad Wassink at [email protected] or In a First Nations story of creation, the 309 Cooper Street, #501 creator called together the animals and Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0G5 plants that he had created and asked 3 the Catalyst Summer 2014 The State of Refugee Health: A Prognosis for Public Justice in Canada A shortened version of Dr. Doug Gruner’s keynote address at CPJ’s 2014 Annual General Meeting.

Most of you are likely aware of It is important to highlight There’s obviously the real human cost of what happened in the late the situation for the de- this poorly thought out policy which will 1970s and early '80s with signated countries of lead to human suffering. the boat people. I certainly origin refugee. The- remember because I se folks will not There’s also the moral cost to us as a was in grade eight and have any health nation as we fail to meet our international my parents, through care unless their commit ments under the Geneva Conve- their church, sponsor- condition is de- ntion which clearly stipulate that any child ed several families. emed a risk to living within our borders has a right to acc- These were mostly public safety or ess health care regardless of nationality. Vietnamese refugees public health. A and they simply fled risk to public he- This policy is forcing refugees away from their homes and got in alth means, ess- primary and preventative care and into boats hoping that near- entially, that they the only other option they have: the em- by countries would take have a communic- ergency department, at ten times the cost. them in. Unfortunately, many able disease. But the minister does not care about this of them died in these over- cost since it is a provincial problem and crowded boats that simply floated As far as public safety, what a provincial cost. at sea for months and months. that means is that if a patient, say from Mexico (a designated country of origin), Evidence-Based Decision Making Canada did step up and accepted many comes to the emergency room and they I believe it is important for us to remind of these refugees. So, where are these are suicidal they will receive no health this government that we require more refugees now? Well interestingly, where I care. No medication. No psychotherapy. than simple conjecture and opinion with work at Bruyère, one of my family med- respect to our decisions on policy. But icine residents, her mom and dad were If, on the other hand, they are homicidal, rather we require high quality evidence on a boat like this. Her sister is an arc- a risk to us, they will get all the care they with respect to policy changes. hitect. Her brother works in IT. And she is need. a physician serving Canadians. That is When I asked Dr. Danielle Grondin, the where refugees end up. The Response Director General of the Health Branch at The response by the health care com- Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Now if this government has its way, there munity has been unprecedented. I’ve the person who signed off on these cuts, will be very few refugees coming to Can- been a physician for 20 years and I’ve what evidence the government was ada any more. As most of you know, in never seen anything like this. We’ve had using in the creation of this policy, she 2012, the Federal Government implement- three national days of action with protests was speechless. There was no evidence ed one of the most egregious policies and rallies in over 20 cities across the used in the creation of this policy. ever by a Canadian government by cutt- country. ing health care benefits for refugees. Two years later this government is com- Doctors are also documenting the effects pletely uninterested in any evidence as The Impact of these cuts. They have been lobbying to the impact of this policy. These cuts have created mass confusion government, liaising with media, and writ- on the front lines, both on the part of health ing in medical and other scientific journals. These cuts are inhumane and they care providers and of refugees themselves. punish an already vulnerable group who There are over 20 national health care are here legally. These cuts are simply Many bona fide refugees are not seeking organizations that have come out again- medically irrational and fiscally irrespon- health care because they are simply con- st these cuts. Seven of these organizations sible. The right thing to do is reverse and fused about what is available to them. wrote letters as a group to the Minister of rescind these cuts immediately. Many refugees think they will have to pay Citizenship and Immigration on three for their visits and in fact most are ex- separate occasions simply asking to sit pected to pay up front now. down and discuss the evidence for this policy. The minister didn’t even have the Many doctors and hospital administrators decency to respond to the letters. Not are unclear on which class of refugee is even a form letter was returned to us. entitled to what benefit under the new Dr. Doug Gruner is an Assistant Professor at the University grid. So what ends up happening is that The Cost of Ottawa where he practices some doctors and walk-in clinics do the So let’s look at the real cost of this policy and teaches Family medicine simple thing; they just turn them away. change. and Emergency medicine. the Catalyst Summer 2014 4 Book Reviews Summer book suggestions from Citizens for Public Justice

Oil and Honey: Tax Is Not a Four-Letter Word: The Education of an A Different Take on Taxes Unlikely Activist in Canada By Bill McKibben Edited by Alex Himelfarb and Times Books, 2013 Jordan Himelfarb Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2013

Reviewed by Mishka Lysack Reviewed by Dennis Howlett

First, a confession. I’ve re-read Bill McKibben’s Oil and Honey Who would have thought that a book about taxes would make not twice but three times. Why? McKibben’s most recent book for some very interesting summer reading? But Tax Is Not a is a compelling and deeply engaging journey into environ- Four-Letter Word , edited by father and son team of Alex and mental activism and creation advocacy. It’s also timely, as Jordan Himelfarb, is just that. This collection of essays covers public discussions about the environment, pipelines and coal, a broad range of topics. It looks at how important our tax and accelerating climate change are on the rise. system is to the kind of society we create and how it can be used to reduce inequality and fight climate change. This book is also a fascinating, endearing, and, at times, amus- ing look into the mind of one of the best-known environmental While this book is a bit more academic than T he Great Rev- activists of our time, tracing his activism from the summer of enue Robbery , which Canadians for Tax Fairness published 2011 to the summer of 2013. In the face of worsening climate last year, it has a lot of depth and most of the essays are quite change and the overwhelming resources of the fossil fuel accessible to those without a degree in economics. industry, he searches for alternative “currencies of movement”: passion, numbers, and creativity. I would particularly recommend the following essays:

Oil and Honey unfolds on two levels; the intensity of McKib- The Introduction by Alex and Jordan Himelfarb provides an ben’s advocacy and astonishing pace of his work is combined excellent overview of taxation policy and its many critical with a more contemplative and reflective account of his time implications. They explain how the anti-tax political agenda at his home in Vermont and his new-found passion of bee- has led to cuts in government services, which make us all keeping. These two contrasting threads of the active and the poorer and our society more unequal. contemplative weave and crisscross, each giving life and meaning to the other. In The Economic Consequences of Taxing and Spending Jim Stanford gives a great primer on how taxes are collected and McKibben’s activism is rooted in a Christian faith. Like the great spent and what the economic and social impacts of this are. environmental Biblical prophet Jeremiah, McKibben’s writing burns with the clean flame of prophetic commitment and Two chapters from Hugh Mackenzie, Taxes and Public Ser- radiates a creation-centred spirituality refreshingly free of the vices and Benefits of Public Services , remind us that taxes hyper-individualism, otherworldly escapism, or disempowered are a very good deal for most taxpayers because they provide apathy that can be detected in the contemporary church and us with quality public services at a much lower cost than we society. would ever be able to buy on our own.

With the growing threat of climate change, McKibben provides Towards a Fair Canadian Tax System by Marc Lee and Iglika us with an inspiring and thoughtful guide for how we can heed Ivanova lays out how our tax system could be made fairer and God’s call to be effective creation advocates. how it could raise the revenue we need for governments to tackle the key challenges we face, such as growing inequality, In a time of both serious environmental crisis and great opp- climate change, and the need to ensure quality public ser- ortunity, this book is a great gift to us all. It’s a bold prophetic vices such as health and education. summons to the church to fulfill its vocation to protect creation. Taxes are likely to become one of the key issues in the next federal election. Read this book and prepare yourself to be able to engage more effectively in the public debate. 5 the Catalyst Summer 2014 Book Reviews

The Lucky Ones: Shopping for Votes: Blue Future: African Refugees’ How Politicians Protecting Water for Stories of Choose Us and We People and the Extraordinary Choose Them Planet Forever Courage By Susan Delacourt By Maude Barlow By Anne Mahon Douglas and House of Anansi Great Plains McIntyre, 2013 Press, 2013 Publications, 2013

Reviewed by Ashley Chapman Reviewed Katherine Scott Reviewed by Sheila McKinley osu

Imagine Edward Snowden working at Susan Delacourt has written an illumin- Maude Barlow’s Blue Future is global in your local 7-Eleven. It’s not actually that ating and evocative book about the drift scope, incisive in analysis, and challeng- far a stretch for those in Winnipeg, Man- of consumer culture into Canadian pol- ing at every turn. The third book in her itoba. Anne Mahon’s The Lucky Ones is itics – where voters no longer think of series on water (preceded by Blue Gold named for African refugees who’ve fou- themselves as citizens but as taxpayers and Blue Covenant ) stands well on its nd safety in the prairie capital, but their who shop among politicians for those own. Barlow alerts us to the devastating stories turn the title on its head. who target their individual needs at the effects of the bottled water industry, in- lowest cost. dustrial farming, mining operations, pow - Really, the lucky ones are the long-time er generation, and a water-intensive con - Canadians who now get to learn from Shopping for Votes tells the story of the sumer lifestyle, all of which seriously thre- newcomers in the book like the daring “creep of shopping language into the aten what we once thought of as a limit- whistleblower journalist who initially political marketplace” as political parties less resource. sold Slurpees upon arrival in Canada. have sought, over the past half century, The lucky ones are those who have to better understand and appeal to voters. Each of the four sections of the book ex- never had to leave family, home, and pands on a basic principle: water is a country and flee for their lives. Political parties, no longer content to sim- human right; water is a common herit- ply advertise themselves and their plat- age; water has rights too; and water can The book’s shocking first-hand accounts form to the general voter, now actively teach us how to live together. In the open- of survival will cause readers to bristle work to identify what voters want and ing pages, she notes that “a majority of the next time they hear someone cast create products that appeal to their the world’s people live within 50 kilo- refugees as “fraudsters” or “just here to individual interests. According to Dela- metres of an impaired water source – take our jobs.” And reading about parents court, the Conservative Party under Ste- one that is running dry or polluted.” With who were forced to run for the border phen Harper has most fully embraced great specificity she outlines the chall- without their children — let alone their political marketing, creating an electoral enges we face and the changes we passports — will cause people to quest- machine so precise in its micro-targeting must make so that clean water and sani- ion the government’s dismissive term- that it knows exactly which voters are tation are accessible to all. inology of “bogus” and “illegal” refugees. needed to secure victory, riding by riding. Interspersed with her accounts of eco- While refugee advocates work to high- The roll out of “boutique tax breaks,” such logical destruction, Barlow weaves the light Canada’s draconian refugee re- as the Children’s Art Tax Credit and the stories of real heroes: individuals, grass- forms of late, the newcomers interview- Firefighter Tax Credit, are part and par- roots movements, not-for-profit organized by Mahon primarily expressed cel of Canada’s new political world. The ations, and even countries and comp- gratitude for the Canadian system. Still, days of “big tent” parties are long gone. anies that are working passionately to the book could have described current reverse and avert disasters. policy reforms that may change that Susan Delacourt has revealed the cor- story for Winnipeg’s newer arrivals. rosive influence of market culture on the In the end, Barlow makes it clear that we pursuit of the collective good. At the must choose between protecting the com- Also unfortunate was a painfully con- same time, she concludes, it’s too easy mons or commodifying them; between trived first-person account written on to blame the political classes. Rather, cooperation or persistent, life-threaten- behalf of a three-year-old girl adopted we all must take some responsibility for ing conflicts and the resulting devast- from Ethiopia. Including a chapter on our transformation into consumers of ation. Faced with the enormity of the iss- international infant adoption in a book Canadian democracy and begin to de- ues, she still aligns herself (and hopes about African refugees is irrelevant at mand clearer lines “between our civic we will too) with the mindset of Oscar best and insensitive at worst, and it only life and shopping pursuits.” Olivero, leader of the Cochabamba water took away from an otherwise valuable revolution, who states, “I trust the peo- book. ple’s capacity for reflection, rage and re- bellion.” the Catalyst Summer 2014 6 Book Reviews

Jesus on Justice: On God's Side: Playing God: Living Lives of What Religion Redeeming the Gift Compassion and Forgets and of Power Conviction Politics Hasn't By Andy Crouch By Don Posterski Learned about IVP Books, 2013 World Vision Canada, Serving the 2013 Common Good By Jim Wallis Brazos Press, 2013

Reviewed by Karri Munn-Venn Reviewed by Brad Wassink Reviewed by Janelle Vandergrift

Jesus on Justice offers a clear and com- In On God’s Side , Jim Wallis delivers a In Playing God , Andy Crouch defines pelling illustration of our Christian calling thorough reproach of religious leaders power as the ability to “make something to seek justice and love mercy by model- across the political spectrum. of this world” and the deepest form is ing our lives on Jesus. Understanding that creation. He argues that power is not ess- “Jesus was a cultural maverick, a social Wallis uses the common good to show entially coercive and violent, though it revolutionary and a religious innovator,” that in order to solve the crises of our can often be misused for domination. We this “biblical action guide” addresses a time, we need people of faith to get more, can “play God,” Crouch suggests, by us- range of issues through the lenses of not less, involved in the political process. ing our power redemptively (through inst- exclusion, prejudice, power, and advo- itutions, for example) but we can also “play cacy. The 16 short studies are both en- In fact, Wallis is at his best when he is God” through injustice (playing gods in couraging and thought-provoking. The for- pointing to what he calls the “best big the lives of others) and idolatry (making mulaic approach – introduction, history, ideas” from both the Christian left and gods). It’s up to us to discipline our pow- scripture, current challenges, and prayer Christian right: those of social and per- er towards true image bearing. – makes the book clear and accessible. sonal responsibility respectively. It is esp- Posterski is creative in his invitation to ecially important that his path towards the Crouch unearths several assumptions contemplation and action, encouraging common good requires finding common we may hold about power that lead us to readers to “be courageous enough to be ground between liberal and conservative disengage, divest, and even underesti- truthful with yourself” and “discern where Christians. Yet given the amount of criti- mate our power instead of acknowledg- your spirit is quiet and should be dist- cism Wallis continues to receive from the ing it as a gift that is essential for image urbed.” Each study stands alone and the Christian right, it’s clear that this is much bearing. Crouch’s book is an apologetic, collection works well together. easier said than done. re orienting, and persuasive piece seem- ingly written for those who might be more Jesus on Justice , on the whole, is a good, On God’s Side includes explorations of apt to abuse their power through ignor- engaging, and compelling read. Most illu- many public policy issues, including pov- ing or underplaying it (“after all, power minating, however, was the introduction. erty, homelessness, the environment, cam- corrupts you know!”). Posterski begins with the tendency of paign finance, criminal justice, guns, gay churches to “magnify our distinctive Chris- rights, human trafficking, immigration, food Crouch’s outlook on power is much too tian messages” and breaks down under- and health, war and peace, the financial optimistic and hopeful. An essential part standings of the Holy Trinity, the Gospel crisis, and education. While this can lead of this conversation is acknowledging message, and the divinity and humanity Wallis’ discussions to seem a mile wide where power is currently and historically of Jesus Christ. Necessarily limited in its and an inch deep, it also shows us how situated, seeking ways to share it with brevity, this exploration of the various Chri- the common good relates to every aspect the oppressed, and re-orienting how it is stian perspectives is particularly useful of our public life. distributed. Given these vast and grow- as we live out our faith in increasingly ing injustices and idolatries of our world, ecumenical and interfaith contexts. In addressing all of these issues, Wallis re- a more practical approach to addressing tells some of the big political news stories power imbalance would have been The book contains a strong public justice from the past few years. For some, he off- useful. frame (though not named as such) that ers deeper analysis and insights. For oth- emphasizes our rights and responsibil- ers, he merely glazes over the issue while Nevertheless, the main take-away from ities as global citizens to contribute to pointing to his personal friendships with Playing God remains: as we seek to and benefit from the common good. Any- the key political and religious players in- reclaim and redeem power, our job as one who appreciated CPJ’s Living Just- volved. image-bearers is to acknowledge the pow- ice: A Gospel Response to Poverty will er we have and use it for the common likely find resonance in Jesus on Justice. Yet while his focus is almost entirely on the good. American political system, Canadians should be mindful of his diagnosis as we see American-style politics creeping in here. 7 the Catalyst Summer 2014 Book Reviews

How the World’s Abraham Kuyper: Sabbath as Religions Are Modern Calvinist, Resistance: Responding to Christian Democrat Saying No to the Climate Change By James D. Bratt Culture of Now Edited by Robin Wm. B. Eerdmans, By Walter Globus Veldman, 2013 Brueggemann Andrew Szasz, and Westminster John Randolph Haluza- Knox Press, 2014 DeLay Routledge, 2013

Reviewed by Ben Pasha Reviewed by Joe Gunn Reviewed by Genevieve Gallant

The issue of climate change has been a Would reading 450 pages of Dutch social, In Sabbath as Resistance , Walter Bru- significant subject of alarm for many in- political, and theological debates from eggemann continues his extensive schol- th th dividuals. This has typically been a con- the late 19 and early 20 centuries help arship on the Old Testament and the pro- cern for those involved in the physical us further understand what CPJ means phets in order to share a prophetic mess- sciences. However, climate change has by “public justice?” Reading James Bratt’s age about the life-giving role the Sabb- now grabbed the attention of different book leads me to a resounding “yes!” ath can play in our society of 24/7 con- faith communities as well, due to the sumption. role ecological issues play in societal Abraham Kuyper was a minister and prof- challenges like poverty and health care. essor who co-founded a new religious The endless demands of today’s eco- denomination and a university. As editor nomic reality, of achieving, accomplishing, How the World’s Religions Are Respond- of two newspapers over 47 years, he auth- performing, and possessing, leave us ing to Climate Change includes reflect- ored over 20,000 newspaper articles. He restless in the end. Brueggemann re- ions from Christian, Muslim, Indigen- also wrote pamphlets and multi-volume minds us that this is not an unpreced- ous, Buddhist, and Hindu perspectives. books. Kuyper effectively advocated for ented situation nor a new one. This is also the first book of its kind to public funding of religious schools and establish “religion in climate change.” encouraged the development of Christ- This book is addressed to those who are The book uses recent research to pre- ian labour unions (both included in early weary and whose yokes are heavy. The sent an overview of what different faith manifestations of CPJ’s vision.) Elected great challenge is that to do Sabbath we groups are doing now and identifies to the Dutch Parliament (and later the need both enormous intentionality and avenues for research in the future. Senate) this incredible man also served communal reinforcement to resist the as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from busyness and anxiety of our time. But it For Canadians interested in what differ- 1901 – 1905. can be an act of testimony to alter- ent faith communities are doing in the natives and a resistance to the per- face of climate change, the most relev- Kuyper’s main contributions to the social vading values of profit if we can place ant chapter is the contribution by Mish- teachings of Calvinism revolved around ourselves in the memory of the covenant. ka Lysack, a CPJ supporter who co- his vision of “worldview” (the call to Christ- edited Living Ecological Justice . Lysack ian cultural engagement) and especially How we choose to live out the Sabbath looked at different faith groups in Can- his development of the concept of “sph- today is left for us to decide. Bruegg- ada which included eight Christian de- ere sovereignty,” where the various real- emann sets the stage for an excellent nominations as well as other religious ms of life – such as business, church, reflection of where we have come from, traditions like the Muslim, Jewish, Bud- state, and family – had specific purposes who has lead us here, and where we dhist, and Baha’i faiths. He then pre- and God-given integrity. Kuyper believ- need to go. I appreciated his emphasis sents an overview of what has been ed that “personal salvation is less an on the image of the God of Creation who accomplished to date and closes with end in itself than a means to God’s larg- embodies divine rest and who reminds solutions for what these faith groups er purpose of renewing the cosmos.” us that “the well-being of creation does have to do if they wish to better the en- not depend on endless work.” vironment. Sternly, Bratt warns us that “Abraham Kuyper was a great man, but not a nice Sabbath reminds us of how we are to Despite some of Lysack’s stark critic- one.” Accordingly, we are exposed to live life by gift. It can be a pause that isms, his recommendations for improve- Kuyper as an “idea” more than as a “per- transforms and a reminder that what is ment suggest optimism for the relation- son.” That main idea is, “there is not a needed is given, and will be given, a ship between faith communities and the square inch in the whole domain of our message we so frequently need to hear. environment moving forward. human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine! ’”

the Catalyst Summer 2014 8 Jobs, Training, and the Common Good An interview with Mike Luff, who presented at the Dignity for All policy summit on Employment.

Training that is broadly-based—especially literacy and essential skills education—can enhance the ability of workers to part- icipate fully in the life of society. Skills development can lead to more positive work and life experiences and change a person’s mindset. With new and higher skills, people feel empowered and become more active in their communities.

What are three key policies the Federal Government should enact to make significant gains in skills development?

First, public policy must be set on the basis of solid evidence. The Federal Government should increase funding to Statistics Canada so it can develop more detailed labour market data by occupation and at the regional and local levels.

Which groups in Canada typically face high levels of Second, the Federal Government must invest in up-skilling the unemployment? existing workforce. It should allow employed workers to access Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for training leaves. Employ- Too many workers are currently being locked out of opportunity ers would have to ensure the worker could return to their job and prosperity. This includes immigrants, Aboriginal peoples, wo- when the training is finished. men, persons with disabilities, at-risk youth, older workers, and less-skilled individuals (those with a high school diploma or less). This new program would help tackle working poverty by prov- iding a path for low-skilled workers to move up into higher-skilled Faced with an aging population and increasing global compet- and higher-paid jobs. It would not add any new costs to the Fed- ition, it is critical that we do everything we can to maximize the eral Government’s budget since the funding would come from size and skills of our workforce. We cannot afford to leave any- the EI Operating Account, which is made up of contributions from body on the sidelines. employers and workers.

How is Canada leading in education and training? How is Third, the Federal Government must invest more in training pro- it falling behind? grams for unemployed workers so they can upgrade their skills, find steady employment, and provide stability for their families. Canada’s formal education system (K to 12) is performing relat- ively well. In addition, Canada has the highest level of post- Public justice recognizes the important role not only of secondary qualification among developed countries. citizens and governments, but the private sector as well. For Catalyst readers who are employers, what are steps Unfortunately, Canada’s record on training and skills develop- they can take to improve skills development among their ment outside the formal education system is dreadful. Employer workers? investment in training has decreased 40 per cent since 1993 and Canada is near the bottom of the industrialized world when it It is essential that employers develop a training culture within comes to public spending on training for unemployed workers. their organizations by linking training to their core strategy, plans, and priorities. How does investing in ‘human capital’ contribute to the common good? In addition, while many employers recognize they have a responsibility to provide workers with firm-specific training, there are Improving the knowledge, skills, and talents of our workforce— far too many employers that do not believe they have a respon- what economists call our ‘human capital’—by investing in edu- sibility to support the development of workers' skills more gen- cation and training is essential to Canada’s ability to out- compete erally, such as literacy and essential skills. Employers are often and out-innovate the rest of the world. This contributes to the concerned about rivals "poaching" their employees after they common good by helping to build a stronger economy, enhanc- have invested in training and they seem to believe this possibility ing personal development, and strengthening social cohesion. increases with investments in general skills that are transferable in the broader labour market. This attitude needs to change. Research shows a positive relationship between education and training and increased productivity and economic growth. A strong economy is key to investing more in the public services Mike Luff is a Senior Researcher for Social and and social programs that provide all Canadians with a basic Economic Policy at the Canadian Labour Congress, measure of security and dignity and a fair chance to succeed the umbrella organization for Canada’s national (e.g. health care, education, community-based social services, and international unions which represents the and the Canada Pension Plan). interests of more than three million unionized workers. 9 the Catalyst Summer 2014 Defiance, Not Compliance: Turning the Other Cheek By Leah Watkiss

“You have heard that it was said, give if someone higher than you ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for treated you the same way. You ex- a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not pect your slave to cower, submit, resist an evil-doer. But if anyone and slink away. Instead, your slave strikes you on the right cheek, turn defiantly turns their other cheek and the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-41) challenges you to hit them again. What can you do? This quote from the Sermon on the Mount is often shortened to the cli- You would like to give your slave ché “turn the other cheek.” It is a another backhanded slap to show con venient excuse for inaction; a them their place, but to do that you rationalization for being passive and would have to use your left hand accepting whatever injustices or un - which would admit that your action fair treatment we witness or exper- is unclean. You could hit them on ience. It’s the equivalent of saying their left cheek, instead, but it “just ignore them” with the naïve would be embarrassing to hit your hope that whatever or whoever it is slave the way you should hit your will just go away. equal. You’re confused. You don’t know what to do. Flustered, you I used to wonder how Jesus, lover could order the slave be flogged, of truth and doer of justice, could but the slave has already made tell us to sit back and accept lies their point. They have shown you and injustice in this manner. But that they are a human person with then I was introduced to Dr. Walter dignity and worth. You don’t own Wink’s exegesis of the Sermon on them, you cannot control them, the Mount in Jesus and Nonvio- and they do not submit to your rule. lence: A Third Way , and my life has never been the same. And so, in light of Wink’s insights, Jesus’ instruction not to resist evil Wink starts his exegesis by looking and to turn the other cheek trans- at the phrase, “do not resist an evil- forms from an instruction to accept doer.” He explains that a more ac- injustice into a challenge to resist curate translation of this sentence systems of domination and oppr- is “do not retaliate against violence ession without the use of violence. with violence” or “don’t react violently against the one who is Rather than ignoring an evil situation and hoping it will go away, evil.” This subtle yet powerful shift in language sets a whole new Jesus is telling his followers to find creative, active, and non- tone for what follows: rather than being told not to resist, the violent ways to assert their humanity and God’s love in the world. people gathered to hear Jesus are told not to resist violently . As a Christian voice for justice in Canada, it’s important that Wink goes on to examine the phrase “if anyone strikes you on CPJ and its members embody this understanding of what it the right cheek, turn the other also.” Why, Wink asks, does means to “turn the other cheek” in our lives and our work. We Jesus reference the right cheek specifically? The answer is both can do that by always looking for new ways to creatively, challenging and enlightening. Jesus lived in a right-handed actively, and nonviolently challenge systems of exploitation and world where left hands were reserved only for unclean tasks. oppression that cause poverty, inequality, and environmental Therefore, we can assume that the person doing the hitting destruction. As Jesus’ example demonstrates, even when we would have used their right hand. The only way to strike some- have no social, political, or economic power, we can still find one on the right cheek with your right hand is a backhanded ways to stand our ground, take control of the power dynamic, slap. Such a blow connotes an insult, not a fistfight, and was a and cause people in power to see us in a new light without us- normal way to reprimand someone over whom you had power ing violence. To do so is truly to be a citizen for public justice. (e.g. masters to slaves, husbands to wives, Romans to Jews). To strike your equal in such a manner was socially and legally unacceptable, carrying with it a huge fine.

With this new understanding of the context Jesus was speaking in, picture the scenario with yourself as the oppressor. You are a wealthy, powerful person whose slave has displeased you in Leah Watkiss represents some way. You reprimand your slave with a backhanded slap. Canada-At-Large on Citizens for Public Justice’s The response you expect is the response you have always Board of Directors and does peace, justice, and received from your slaves – the response you yourself would ecological work for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. the Catalyst Summer 2014 10 Economic Justice: Are We There Yet? By Joe Gunn

Gerda Kits, Bob Goudzwaard, Joe Gunn, and Ron Kuipers speak at the conference’s concluding panel. Photo credit: Daryl C. Kinsman

Conversations around contentious social, economic, and en- spent aid back over these last years, and to refuse in 2013 to vironmental themes are not always easy. Only inviting people send the $400 million in climate adaptation and mitigation fin- who all think the same as you do is comforting – but rarely ancing for the UN’s Green Fund that Canada has sent in each leads to stretching our knowledge base. Yet a recent con- of the previous three years. What a stark contrast of discourse fer ence in Edmonton set a hospitable table for dialogue on a with Goudzwaard’s conception of a Christian “economy of giv- range of political and socio-economic views, and it seemed to ing” as perhaps the highest example of a just economic system! work. One questioner attempted to challenge the frame of our think- CPJ helped facilitate Are We There Yet? Economic Justice ing, suggesting that how you perceive economic justice deter- and the Common Good along with The Centre for Philosophy, mines your response. If you think the poor just lack stuff, well Religion and Social Ethics at Toronto’s Institute for Christian then, you give them stuff. If you see the poor as lacking power, Studies and The King’s University College. The group of 150 then power relationships have to be changed. Economic just- participants included academics, social justice practitioners, ice may be all about transformation – how to right broken re- business leaders, trade unionists, Aboriginal peoples, environ- lationships between neighbours. mentalists, and politicians. Many of the workshops allowed further debate and further The keynote speaker, Dr. Bob Goudzwaard, framed the event conversation. A panel of business leaders explained how they brilliantly by laying out a Christian conception of economic just- try to structure faithful enterprises in the private sector. A panel ice and asking us to question if our own vision “goes deep of lawyers, including CPJ’s Board Chair, Mark Huyser-Wierenga, enough for real change?” He called on participants to move wrestled with restorative justice issues, noting how the poor beyond static concepts, like “poverty” and “wealth,” that define are over-represented among incarcerated Canadians. Abo- discourse about the current economic order. He wanted us to riginal speakers, unionists, and academics all wrestled with use more active terms like “enrichment” and “impoverishment” development issues in the Athabasca oil sands. so that we would be moved to address the causality of these forces. For Goudzwaard, it is impossible to speak of economic CPJ organized a panel on Faith, Community and Climate justice without understanding ecological and intergenerational Change with Professor Randy Haluza-Delay of The King’s justice – words that are music to a CPJ member’s ears! University College and Sara Farid of Development and Peace. The panel attracted over 50 participants, including a visiting Contrast this with the later remarks from the Honourable class of students. CPJ also spoke on the conference’s con- Diane Ablonczy, MP for Calgary-Nose Hill. Ms Ablonczy also cluding panel. drew on her Christian roots as part of her defense of the Con- servative government’s foreign aid policies. She advocated an In Christian theology, we recognize that we will never “be there end to making the poor “dependent” and repeated several ref- yet” in terms of achieving just earthly structures. Yet, our goal erences to aid skeptics, including mention of Robert Lupton’s of creating communities of moral deliberation and action is Toxic Charity: How the Church Hurts Those They Help and why such conferences need to become on-going and form- How to Reverse It and Dambisa Moyo’s Dead Aid: Why Aid is ative events. Not Working and How There is a Better Way For Africa.

Indeed, such negative perceptions of aid may lie behind the Federal Government’s decisions to cut international assist- ance to under 0.27 per cent of our GDP (far short of our 0.7 Joe Gunn serves as Executive per cent target), to hold hundreds of millions of dollars in un- Director of Citizens for Public Justice. 11 the Catalyst Summer 2014 Groundings Hanging Out With Jesus: Today’s Christian and the least of these By Allison Chubb

All of us who went to Sunday School know the kinds of living far away. But every time and people Jesus hung around with: the people looked place has groups of people who down on by the dominant culture, those who were are unwanted and unwelcome. bad or different — or maybe just a bit scary. It’s part of our human brok- People like drug addicts, transgender people, en ness. and those struggling with mental illness. And what did Jesus tell us about them? “What- One of my neighbours ever you do for the least of these, you do for is a single mom from me.” (Matthew 25:40) a northern First Nat- ion. Her child doesn’t But perhaps that isn’t the version your identify with usual Sunday School teacher was familiar with. gender categories. Perhaps your church, like mine, had the My neighbour didn’t idea that the marginalized people Jesus finish college and hung around with — tax collectors, prost- she struggles with itutes, and fishermen — were people who a serious mental ill- lived back then. After all, every Sunday ness. I can’t imagine School student knows that Samaritans and how many times she Centurions don’t actually exist anymore. has been made to feel When I was a kid, I didn’t even know Jewish like she doesn’t belong people existed anymore! No, these were chara- in my neighbourhood be- cters in a story which happened a long time ago, cause she doesn’t fit the not part of the narrative of faith which governs our daily model. Yet if Jesus came to lives. my block today, I have no doubt that she is the person he’d choose to In my experience, the gospel story itself is often boiled down hang out with. to a set of principles that I’m tempted to hide behind. In seminary, we studied the Creeds and the councils; Church The people our culture calls “least” are the ones Jesus has history and dogmatics; atonement, reformation and consub- called “great” in God’s kingdom. They are the ones who have stantiation. But rarely did we spend time studying the life of been given eyes to see and ears to hear God’s in-breaking Jesus, the simple “wheres” and “whos” and “whats.” reign in ways which I cannot. They are the precious ones, the ones who go unnamed on our streets but whom Jesus calls In our hurry to make meaning out of Jesus’ death and resur- by name. Remember Mary in the garden on Easter morning? rection, we sometimes fail to stop and make meaning out of To any bystander, she was just a poor nameless woman but his life. Jesus did not just happen to stumble upon the when Jesus called her name, it was all that mattered. underdogs of society on his way toward the cross. He didn’t just find himself talking to the woman at the well that day. If Perhaps more than being fed, clothed, or visited, the least of anyone has ever lived life intentionally, it was Jesus, the one these long to be called by name. They long for another to look who dwelt among us to show us how to be truly human. into their eyes and see there the precious image of God, so dear to God’s heart that Jesus spent his days on earth with Perhaps the popular ’90s slogan “What Would Jesus Do?” people just like them. Once we know someone’s name, once could become “Who did Jesus hang out with?” Jesus, both we begin to spend time with the people Jesus did, we begin to brother-human and God-among-us, believed that the people see their needs as they do. They are no longer a “cause” or he spent time with mattered. Their concerns were his con- an issue of tolerance or even human rights; they are our cerns. We often repeat Matthew 25: “When I was hungry you brothers and sisters. fed me… Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” But Jesus went well beyond this. He lived with the poor And for my brother or sister, I would do anything. in their poverty. He walked with those who were mentally ill in their illness. He entered the homes of the tax collectors. He sat and chatted with other kinds of society’s unwanteds and Allison Chubb is an Anglican priest outcasts. and chaplain at St. John’s College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is passionate about connecting Most of us aren’t accustomed to thinking of people in our lives the postmodern search for belonging with the ancient as the least of these . We often assign this category to people call of the Church to be homecoming to all people. the Catalyst Summer 2014