Citizens for Public Justice - CPJ

08/21/2026

2SLGBTQIA+ people around the world are forced to flee violence, criminalization, and persecution simply because of who they are. And we often think of Canada as an automatic safe haven, but systemic gaps and our government’s policy decisions leave 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees feeling unsafe.

That's why we're partnering with Rainbow Haven for Everyone Deserves a Safe Home, a campaign to support our joint work in protecting the safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ people while they're fleeing persecution abroad, and upholding their rights as refugees when they arrive in Canada.

For those in the National Capital Region, we invite you to join us at Capital Pride on Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30!

Learn more and support the campaign here: everyonedeservesasafehome.ca

08/14/2026

CPJ supporters know that we’re better together with refugees and migrants—this summer and fall, we’re showing Canada why!

The CPJ Ride for Refuge is a family friendly fundraising event that brings people together in support of people seeking hope, safety, and freedom.

Here's how you can get involved:

🚴 Walk or ride with us in Ottawa on Saturday, October 3 (or hold a satellite ride or walk in your own community!)
👭 Start or join a fundraising team and invite your friends, family, church, or community to support you.
💖 Donate to help a participant reach their fundraising goal.

Ready to join us? Visit our webpage: cpj.ca/refuge

08/12/2026

🔎 What will you find inside CPJ's new Advocacy Toolkit?

Designed for both new and experienced advocates, the toolkit includes practical guidance on:

✨ Understanding how advocacy creates lasting change
✨ Communicating effectively with elected representatives
✨ Organizing campaigns and community action
✨ Using practical worksheets, templates, and planning tools
✨ Building confidence as an advocate for justice

We are pleased to announce an extension on preorder deadline: preorder your copy before August 26 and enjoy FREE SHIPPING!

Get your copy today: cpj.ca/advocacy-toolkit

08/11/2026

Coming soon! CPJ is teaming up with Ride for Refuge to protect refugee and migrant rights! 🚴‍♀️🚶‍♂️

This fall, we are proud to be gathering again for the CPJ Ride for Refuge—a fun, outdoor community event to fundraise for refugee and migrant rights in Canada. We want YOU to play a key part in it!

If you are interested in being a Team Captain for CPJ's Ride for Refuge, send us an email at [email protected].

Team Captains should be:

📆 Available on October 3, 2026
👥 Able to participate in your own community or at our event in the Ottawa area
✊Motivated to get a team of fundraisers together to protect the rights of migrants and refugees in Canada

08/05/2026

New resource from CPJ! 📖

Many Canadians care deeply about issues like poverty, refugee and migrant rights, affordable housing, disability justice, Indigenous reconciliation, and climate change. Yet many people are unsure how to turn that concern into meaningful action.

That's why CPJ's policy experts have created our new Advocacy Toolkit: From Concern to Collective Action.

Whether you're advocating as an individual, with your church, your campus, or your community organization, this practical resource provides the knowledge, tools, and confidence to help you make a difference.

Pre-order your copy by August 17 and enjoy free shipping so you can be among the first to receive the new toolkit! cpj.ca/advocacy-toolkit

07/24/2026

The bad news: Saskatchewan wants to spend $26 BILLION to keep its coal plants running for another 25 years 🏭

The good news: one loophole makes this decision possible, and the federal government can close it and fund a real just transition for coal workers! ✊

We need YOUR help to make it happen! All it takes is five minutes:

1️⃣ Head to cpj.ca/stop-coal to get a quick fact sheet and suggested phone script about coal power 📋

2️⃣ Call up your MP that you expect them to call on the federal government to do the right thing and Stop Coal! ☎️

Get started today! Head to cpj.ca/stop-coal and pick up the phone!

07/23/2026

This summer, help CPJ Build the Canadian Welcome.

Canada can choose a different path, one rooted in dignity, justice, and welcome. Building on the momentum of our award-winning book A Renewed Canadian Welcome’s book tour, CPJ is bringing people together across Canada to advocate for refugee and migrant rights, strengthen public support for welcoming policies, and inspire communities to put justice into action.

Through Building the Canadian Welcome, CPJ is advocating for refugee and migrant rights, amplifying newcomer voices, equipping churches and communities for action, and helping shape public policy that reflects compassion and justice.

Every gift made this summer will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000, helping your support go twice as far.

That means your gift today goes twice as far to help CPJ:

✨advocate for refugee and migrant rights
✨amplify newcomer voices
✨equip churches and communities for action
✨mobilize Canadians to build a more welcoming country

Will you make a matched gift today?

Head to cpj.ca/welcome to donate.

06/30/2026

✨ CPJ is searching for a Public Justice Communications Intern! Are you:

🎤 Passionate about climate justice, refugee and migrant rights, or poverty elimination in Canada?
✊ Determined to spread progressive messages and drive public advocacy?
💼 Ready for a full-time, one-year position with vacation and benefits?

Apply to join the CPJ team and help us in a critical aspect of our public justice work—communications. As the CPJ Public Justice Communications Intern, you’ll be responsible for translating complex policy work into simple, powerful, and actionable communications materials across all kinds of media.

Applications close on July 23! To learn more and apply, head to cpj.ca/public-justice-internship.

06/25/2026

🌾 The Saskatchewan government said that continuing coal power in the province would cost $900 million. But recently, we learned that the estimated cost has SKYROCKETED to $26 BILLION—not to mention the devastating cost it’ll exact on youth well-being and our responsibility to care for Creation.

In an article for CPJ, Daniel Akindipe highlights the huge toll that Saskatchewan’s coal plans will take on all of us. Read the article for free here today: cpj.ca/the-cost-of-coal

Daniel is CPJ’s Climate Justice Public Engagement Intern and is reaching out to audiences across the country ahead of our appeal date for our legal challenge of the Saskatchewan government. In his practicum, he has been carrying out research and creating opportunities for CPJ members (and all Canadians) to get involved with our No More Coal in Canada! campaign. We’re grateful to have him on board!

06/23/2026

New from Faith Today - CPJ's Refugee and Migrant Rights Policy Officer, Rena Namago, shares reflections on the role that Canadian churches have had, and continue to have for refugee rights in Canada:

"“Amid rising anti-refugee and migrant rhetoric and drastic cuts – not only to immigration levels, but crucial settlement services – may the Canadian Church continue its faithful and historic witness by building communities of hospitality, justice and mutual flourishing with all our neighbours.”

Read the article now 👇

What are Canadian churches called to do about migrants and refugees? As people around the world observe World Refugee Day (June 20), the faith-based Canadian organization Citizens for Public Justice - CPJ offers some reflections.