Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
A national faith-based organization that supports Unitarian values through action
Are you feeling frustrated with the fact that the Kinder Morgan trans-mountain pipeline project, and other pipelines, seem to be unstoppable? The Coast Protectors held a webinar this week to discuss actions that are being taken. Inspired by that webinar, here are some actions that all of us can take, right now, to show solidary with … Read more
CUSJ is pleased to announce that a new local CUSJ chapter has been formed in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The three founders–Bob Manson, Susan J. Woods, and Sally Palmer Woods–all members of Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship–stated that the CUSJ Thunder Bay Chapter intends to work towards social justice locally, provincially, and nationally, because they feel that this multi-level approach … Read more
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), of which CUSJ is a member, has reported this week that peace activist and BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti was arrested, interrogated and harassed by Israeli authoriites. This seems to be part of the Israeli government’s campaign to criminalize the BDS movement, intimidate activists and stop free speech. CUSJ has issued a statement, copied below. … Read more
CUSJ has submitted comments to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) regarding Bill C-23. This bill could compromise the Canadian government’s ability to ensure the privacy and rights of its own citizens when they travel, by expanding the powers of US officials. At present, the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) operates preclearance … Read more
The Spring 2017 JUSTnews discussion paper features a sermon by Rev. Steven Epperson, in which he presents what political scientist Edward Luttwak called “the most important book of the decade”: The Panama Papers: Breaking the Story of How the Rich and Powerful Hide their Money. Epperson also looks at a second book, The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The Scourge of Tax … Read more
March 20, 2017 The Honourable Chrystia Freeland Minister of Foreign Affairs,House of Commons,Ottawa K1A 0A6 Sent by EmailDear Minister Freeland: We come together to express our grave concern regarding actions taken by the government of Israel since the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, and to call the Canadian government to take a strong stance … Read more
On March 5, 2017, the Unitarian Church of Montréal (UCM) voted to divest from fossil fuels, thus becoming the eighth Canadian UU church to do so. This was truly an event of historical significance, since UCM is the oldest UU congregation in Canada, having been founded in 1842 by anglophone progressives, among them merchants like … Read more
In his article on the Hassan Diab case, entitled, No evidence? No problem! Matthew Behrens shows how the entire Hassan Diab case is full of holes, and time and again the judicial system keeps deciding to release him, and then, mysteriously, reversing their decision without explanation. Recounting the history of the case, in which Diab was arrested … Read more