Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
A national faith-based organization that supports Unitarian values through action
CUSJ, along with many scientific and public health groups, wrote to Indian decision-makers about the real dangers of asbestos. Now that most western countries have outlawed this dangerous substance, the industry focuses its marketing efforts on Asian countries like China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Russia and Brazil both produce and use asbestos.
(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
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Initial Report October 15th, 2013 James Anaya leaves after 9 days of visiting with government officials and First Nations Communities across Canada. His final report will be presented to the United Nations, most probably in a year. In the meantime he leaves us with a … Read more
This letter to the PM should go Viral. Please share it. It’s old – 2008 – but nothing has changed. http://www.frankejames.com/dear-prime-minister/
In September 2013, CUSJ wrote a letter to support insite-style safe injection sites. We can learn from the experience of Portugal, where the twelve-year-old drug decriminalization policy has been declared a success. The drug problems there have plateaued, and in many ways they are getting better. Portugal uses drug policy for addiction assessment, disease prevention, and voluntary treatment. Criminal charges … Read more
CUSJ has renewed its involvement with Climatefast for 2013. Take the pledge and fast between September 21st and October 2nd 2013 on Parliament Hill or wherever they are. We fast to focus our energy and the energy of others toward a healthier planet and a healthier relationship with our only home. Take 12 days to practice … 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
Criminal Code review board chairs across Canada state that the Conservative government’s Criminal Code change to the Not Criminally Responsible bill is misdirected. Once again, the government did not engage in consultation in proposing the changes, which take a punative, ideologically driven approach to dealing with mentally-ill individuals who commit offences. The bill pits offenders against … 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
June 12, 2013 – Just moments ago, the National Assembly of Quebec tabled Bill 52, historic legislation in support of better end-of-life care, including the right to medically assisted dying for the grievously ill. The tabling of the bill was met with a standing ovation. If this legislation becomes law, Quebec will become the … Read more
By: Wanda Morris,Executive Director | Dying With Dignity Just moments ago, the National Assembly of Quebec tabled Bill 52, historic legislation in support of better end-of-life care, including the right to medically assisted dying for the grievously ill. The tabling of the bill was met with a standing ovation. If this legislation becomes law, Quebec will … Read more
By Frances Deverell When people asked why Europe was able to move so quickly into renewable energy, the answer was co-ops. Why wasn’t there more resistance to windmills in Europe and Scandanavia? Because the initiatives were community based and co-ops. How do you get a new type of initiative going if the mainstream corporations won’t … Read more
Kamloops Congregation is facing new challenge — a Gold Mine project with toxic potential right next door. The linked article describes effect of large open pit gold mine on Salt Lake City. Updates: In May 2016, the National Observer describes how this open-pit mining project would involve draining a pristine lake, trespassing on unceded First Nations … Read more
ICLMG fight against Bill S-7 The International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group has flagged the Conservative move to extend the security certificate legislation so they can continue to arrest people and hold them indefinitely without knowing who their accusers are and without seeing the evidence against them in a legal trial. Urgent to write all MP’s now. … Read more
The county continues its struggle to preserve prime agricultural land for agriculture: Newsletter 2014 03 Melancthon residents – the mayor, farmers, residents -share their opinions on the proposed mega quarry that threatens the area’s agricultural industry. Highland sells land to Bonneville Financial, A Farmland Investment and Management Firm. This wonderful farmland will continue to grow food. … Read more
Westcoast Chapter of CUSJ presents a brief to the National Energy Board making a business case against the Enbridge Pipeline Proposal. Globe and Mail Article on Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings. A Group of First Nations people envision an energy corridor controlled by First Nations to bring oil from the tar sands to the West Coast. … Read more
February is CUC Resolutions Month There are many resolutions coming before this year’s annual meeting at the May Conference and AGM. Some relate to governance, active democracy, CUC voice, and 3 are related to social action. One relates to climate change, one to the Enbridge pipeline, and one calls for the repeal of C-31 – … Read more
The Council of Canadians been working with 47 organizations (Idle No More, all key labour organizations affiliated with the CLC, Canadian Federation of Nurses, Greenpeace, National Farmers Union, Voices, Alternatives, Canadian Peace Alliance, Lead Now, many, many more… including Oxfam,) to pull together a common front to tackle the social issues of our day and … Read more
The vote at first reading for Bill C-400 is due to happen around February 13th. CUSJ is supporting the Dignity For All Campaign to focus on persuading Conservative back benchers to support the bill. Choose your approach and help Canadians communicate the importance of action on the Canadian Housing crisis (400,000 Canadians either live on … Read more
Fair Vote Canada is reviewing its basic principles. Should it focus only on Proportional Representation (as it does now) or should it promote non-proportional systems like alternative vote in municipal elections where there are no parties. What do you think? Go direct to the Fair Vote Canada page to get involved or see the links … Read more