Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
A national faith-based organization that supports Unitarian values through action
Canadian Unitarians are deeply concerned about human rights, especially for the more vulnerable in our society and the world. We seek justice and fair treatment for Canadian citizens and for immigrants or refugees who enter our country. We seek the end of security certificates, secret trials, and evidence based on anonymous witnesses and possibly torture.
Voices/Voix, an organization dedicated to documenting threats to the Canadian democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech, has just published a new case study on the issue of the right of Canadians to participate in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Many Canadians from churches, students, labour unions, and other walks of life are choosing … Read more
Editor’s Note: The board passed a resolution at the May 12, 2017 AGM to amend this resolution to request on no uncertain terms that Hassan Diab be released, and that change is reflected herein. CUSJ’s mission is to defend and promote Unitarian principles, such as the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice and equity in human … Read more
Motion in Support of Mo Harkat passed by the CUSJ Board 2016 01 10 CUSJ‘s mission is to defend and promote Unitarian principles, such as the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice and equity in human relations, democracy, peace, and liberty for all. These principles call upon us to be a witness for … Read more
Communiqué FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 17 September, 2015 By: Margaret Rao, CUSJ President Changes to refugee process needed if Canada is to make real impact on refugee crisis TORONTO – Key changes are urgently needed if Canada is to open its doors wide enough to make a difference in the current Syrian refugee crisis. “Amendments to … Read more
CUSJ has been following refugee issues, and working with the Canadian Council For Refugees for some time. See our Refugee Page under Issues for a complete record of our actions to date. June 17th Support the National Day of Action toSTOP CUTS TO REFUGEE HEALTH CARE!Unitarians attended Rallies around the country in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, … Read more
Dying with Dignity: WE WON! But We Can’t Rest Now. Supreme Court of Canada in a unanimous decision overturns the law prohibiting doctor assisted death for mentally competent, terminally ill adults. CUSJ Press Release here. The Liberals have proposed to pass a bill that gives far less access to assisted dying than the Supreme Court recommended. … Read more
WE WON! 2015 02 06 Supreme Court of Canada in a unanimous decision overturns the law prohibiting doctor assisted death for mentally competent, terminally ill adults. CUSJ Press Release here.
Frances Deverell’s sermon to close the Ottawa Social Forum plus reading. Find out what people were thinking about at the social forum. What has to change for us to “decolonize Canada?” See Frances Deverell’s sermon given at the end of Ottawa’s Social Forum, August 2014 at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.
CUSJ Opposes Quebec Charter of Values December 10, 2013 On UN Human Rights day CUSJ writes an open letter to Mme. Pauline Marois opposing the Quebec Charter of Values. See Our Human Rights Page
(The Discussion Paper will open in its own window. Comments can be submitted here) CUSJ joins with many other faith communities to support an active search for peaceful solutions to the on-going crisis in Israel and Palestine. It is time that both Israel and the International Community came to the table to honour the commitments … Read more
Activists for Women Jailed in Saudi Arabia Shahla Khan Salter speaks out in the Huffington post for two activists jailed for trying to bring food to Nathalie Morin, once a Canadian woman, living in Saudi Arabia. Her husband left for a three day conference leaving her no food in the house for herself and her … Read more
National Day of Action CUSJ, Toronto Chapter, has invited all of us to support Doctors For Refugee Care in their campaign to stop the cuts to refugee healthcare Refugees June 17th Support the National Day of Action to STOP CUTS TO REFUGEE HEALTH CARE!!! Rallies around the country in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, … Read more
Hassan Diab Needs Our Help Now! At its board meeting of January 8th, 2011, CUSJ voted to send a letter of support to the Minister of Justice on behalf of Dr. Hassan Diab. April 6th, Minister Rob Nicholson decided to issue the extradition order. Mr. Diab is ordered to return to France. According to the … Read more
BRAVO THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT! You are acting for many Canadians from all walks of life who share your frustrations. Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice support your action to protest growing income inequality and corporate greed. You are exposing the underlying unfairness of an economic system that has left a tiny elite with a disproportionate amount of wealth … Read more
CUSJ Opposes C-4 Refugee Bill July 31, 2011 CUSJ signed on, today, to the Canadian Council of Refugees campaign against Bill C-4. (Formerly Bill C-49 and re-introduced into the house as Bill C-4 this spring.) This Bill would exempt the Canadian Government from honouring the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian Constitution. It … Read more
CUSJ calls on all its members to bombard the Senate with requests to expedite the passage of Bill C-393 before any election may be called. Let democracy be respected. Let Senators rise above party politics and do the right thing. We have the opportunity to remove the roadblocks and have inexpensive generic drugs sent to … Read more
Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice call on the Harper Government to meet the standards of Canadian and International Law in their treatment of refugees — including those who arrive by the boatload. Support Bill C-49 For the full letter go to: Letter to Harper on Refugees
Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice appeals to Senators of all stripes. Do the right thing. Pass Bill C-389 and include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination under the law. For the full letter see: Letter to Senate on Transgender Rights
Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice call on the Harper government to support Bill C-393 and unplug the road blocks to generic AIDS Drugs production for Africa and other developing countries with an AIDS crisis. Either that or come up with a better solution that will get those drugs flowing. We have been waiting since the … Read more
“The Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada and the Canadian Unitarian Council condemn the recent acts of vandalism against Jewish institutions in Montreal. We are committed to a society based on mutual respect, where people are free to express themselves and practice their beliefs, provided those expressions do not endanger or harm others. Acts of terrorism, … Read more