God calls the church to seek justice in the world. Identifying and acknowledging where there is injustice in the world – and working to change it – is part of the church’s public witness to how the body of Christ lives and acts in the world. As Christians, we properly use our voices to call on those in power to help shape the kind of world that allows all creation to flourish.
The resources and letter templates on this page can assist individuals and churches to raise situations of injustice with decision makers and elected officials. For more detailed information about church positions on social justice issues, visit the Social Action Hub.
Affordable Housing
Housing is a primary source of stability, security and wellbeing that must be adequate, appropriate, safe and affordable, and give access to services such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare and schools. More than one-tenth – 1.6 million households – do not meet one or more of these thresholds. Many factors contribute to what has become a housing crisis including a critical lack of new long-term rental housing, housing that hasn’t kept pace with population growth, incomes that haven’t kept pace with housing costs, and an emerging trend of treating real estate as an investment rather than housing. This template advocates for housing as a human right and steps to remove systemic barriers to accessing affordable housing.
Write your own letter to the federal government on the National Housing Strategy
Write your own letter in support local affordable housing initiatives
Affordable Housing and Domestic Violence
The lack of affordable housing is a critical barrier for those seeking to leave violence at home. The 2022 General Assembly encouraged congregations and presbyteries to advocate for: increased priority access to housing for victims of domestic violence; short-term financial assistance for victims of domestic violence so that they can access safe housing; help for municipalities to tackle wait-lists and capacity issues for affordable housing; promotion of services that are trauma-informed, victim-centred and culturally appropriate for those experiencing domestic violence, including shelters, housing, counselling and legal advice.
Breaking Cycles of Violence in Communities
All people desire to live in safe, healthy and thriving communities. When gun violence occurs, it does not just impact individuals, it devastates entire communities, as it did when six worshippers were murdered in a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 and when 22 people were murdered in Nova Scotia in 2020. According to the most recently available data from Statistics Canada, the number of shootings across the country more than doubled between 2018 and 2023, rising from 1,151 incidents to 2,323.
While gun control is one measure the church has advocated for, it is imperative to acknowledge the complex intersection of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, economic and social marginalization, isolation, domestic violence, and poverty that are inextricably linked to community wellbeing. Systemic injustices such as these are toxic. The harms of gun violence in communities are part of an ongoing cycle: violence causes trauma, contributing to isolation, poor well-being, and economic insecurity. These experiences often are fertile ground for further violence. This letter encourages our elected leaders to enact policies and programs that cultivate justice and look to address root causes of gun violence. It is only in ending all forms of oppression that all people will be able thrive.
Read the original letter
Write your own letter
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The blight of gun violence, often rooted in racism, misogyny and oppression are barriers to the safe, thriving communities all people deserve. Learn, pray and act for justice.
Prayer
God of Peace,
you call us to live in peace with you and all creation, yet
our brokenness causes violence and pain in our communities.
Where we allow injustice to continue, trauma and brokenness also continue.
Let your Spirit stir among us to bring healing and peace to those who experience violence.
And make us advocates for your justice which is seen
when racism, misogyny and oppression cannot continue,
when poverty is eliminated, and
when cycles of violence are ended.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Learn More
- Read Justice Ministries’ 2021 report to General Assembly about gun violence in Canada
- Visit the church’s Social Action Hub for information and resources on peacemaking, racism and other social justice issues.
- Project Ploughshares is the peace research institute of The Canadian Council of Churches that works with churches, governments, and civil society, in Canada and abroad, to advance policies and actions to prevent war and armed violence and build peace.
Climate crisis – reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Canadians are seeing the devastating impacts of climate change in Canada in heat domes, fires, floods, droughts and extreme weather events. The world passed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming for the first time in 2024. The effects of even 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming will be devastating. There is an urgent need for Canada to reduce its carbon emissions, including from the oil and gas sector, increase research and funding to mitigate the cost of future disasters and better prepare for a future climate-related events, and to develop a plan for a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
Climate crisis – global loss and damage fund
Countries in the Global South have contributed the least to causing the climate crisis and yet face disproportionately more of the deadly impacts. Countries that have historically contributed the most to the climate crisis (including countries in Western Europe, Canada and United States), have a responsibility to help those that have contributed the least to the problem, at a level that reflects their responsibility. This template advocates that the Government of Canada increase its contribution to the global loss and damage fund and work with other countries to ensure the fund is equitably and justly administered.
Write your own letter
Learn more
Climate Crisis – just transition
The climate crisis will worsen until societies severely limit greenhouse gas emissions and act in ways that do not push ecosystems past their limits into irrecoverable destruction. Canada is heavily invested in natural resource extraction and the transition to a low-carbon economy will involve difficult but necessary changes for people in Canada.
We are called to live in ways that respect and sustain the integrity of creation, which God called “very good” This letter urges elected officials to assist those harmed and displaced by the climate crisis and those whose lives and livelihoods are impacted by these transitions toward a more sustainable low-carbon economy. The letter acknowledges that Indigenous communities and communities in the global south are already disproportionately affected by climate change and calls for just transition and recovery programs that are grounded in human rights, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the original letter
Write your own letter
Promote in your church
The heat domes, fires, floods and mudslides that devastated British Columbia last year show that the climate crisis is a real and present danger. Learn, pray and act for justice.
Prayer
Creator God,
the world is in crisis.
We see and acknowledge the changes around us and we want to do what’s right but
we do not always know what that is or agree what is best to do.
Help us to hear your Spirit calling us to end the violence and harm against creation we see and feel.
We pray
for forgiveness for when we have taken too much or cared too little,
for hearts willing change,
for the wisdom to know what to do and
for the will to live in ways that respect and sustain the integrity of your creation
These things we pray in the name of Jesus,
Learn More
- Visit the church’s Social Action Hub’s Ecological Justice page.
- Join the Canadian interfaith For the Love of Creation movement.
- Learn how PWS&D is supporting partners impacted by climate change
Canadian churches, trade unions and other non-governmental organizations are working together to encourage the Government of Canada to increase aid to Cuba in this time of exceptional need and ensure humanitarian aid and development assistance is not restricted by U.S. sanctions and other measures.
Cubans describe their living conditions as the worst they have experienced before the 1959 revolution. Cuba is still suffering an economic slump provoked by the COVID pandemic. The effects of the downturn are magnified by the decades-long imposition of sanctions (sometimes referred to as the “embargo” or the “blockade”) by the United States. Between 2007 and 2022, Cuba has dropped 30 places in the Human Development Index (from 53 in 2007 to 83 in 2022). In 2024, UNICEF placed Cuba—for the first time—as a country where a third of the country’s children are living in poverty. This year, also for the first time, Cuba requested support from the World Food Program for powdered milk for children under seven.
What’s Happening in Cuba
The people of Cuba face a dire humanitarian crisis that has worsened in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on any nation that exports oil to Cuba.
On February 25, the government of Canada announced a further $8-million contribution to relief efforts, but much more is needed – especially fuel – to ensure aid can reach people in need. Numerous non-governmental organizations including churches and trade unions are doing what they can to help. You can call on the Canadian government to:
- support all necessary actions to prevent an avoidable, human-made crisis, including a humanitarian carve-out for oil and aid free of U.S. interference.
- increase food and medical aid to Cuba beyond current levels and make diplomatic efforts with other countries to end the U.S. blockade on oil and ease the impact of ongoing U.S. sanctions.
- work with the United Nations, Mexico, Colombia and other countries to get fuel to Cuba .
Cuban partner organizations and recent visitors say conditions in Cuba today are much more difficult than in the early 1990s when the implosion of the Soviet Union led to a massive deterioration in living standards. The pandemic shuttered the tourism industry, a main source of revenue used to acquire food, medicines and fuel from abroad. Cuba has also suffered a series of hurricanes, droughts and floods, leading to lost crops and food shortages. Energy shortages limit public transit and even the collection of garbage. Punitive U.S. measures under both Trump and Biden have also reversed the many gains delivered by the easing of such measures by the Obama administration.
The return of Trump in 2025 and appointment of Marco Rubio, a vocal proponent of increased sanctions on Cuba, as U.S. Secretary of State, means additional measures against the Cuban people may be imposed. U.S. measures not only prevent U.S. citizens and businesses from providing support to the Cuban people, they also interfere with the delivery of humanitarian aid by other countries because banks limit transactions; suppliers face risks of U.S. retaliation; and shipping of freight becomes more complicated and costly.
Try to imagine what living conditions are like for the average Cuban:
- Daily power outages
- Spending 70% of income on food
- Inflation rate of 31%
- Monthly salary of US$16-23, enough for 3 kilos of powdered milk or a tray of 30 eggs
- Pension for seniors is about US$5/month
- Ration book supplies cut drastically: no coffee, bread rolls reduced from 80 to 60 grams
- Cuba imports 80% of its food as national production dropped
- 10% of the people lack sufficient water
- Hospital conditions have deteriorated: the infant mortality rate has increased 50% in recent years; 12,000 doctors (with a similar number of nurses) have left the profession
- Cuba is short 24,000 teachers in the 2024-25 school year
- Insufficient fuel means fewer garbage trucks and buses
- Friends and family are leaving: 1 million since 2020, mostly from 15-49 age cohort
Fortunately, asking Canada to support Cuba in this way is consistent with Canada’s history of strong relations with Cuba and the fact that Canada has maintained an independent foreign policy:
- Canadian non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, trade unions and civil society groups have worked continuously with Cuban partners to maintain strong people-to-people connections and to provide humanitarian and development assistance.
- In 2024, Canada contributed $1.7 million in humanitarian assistance in response to several emergencies, including Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael. Funds were shared via multilateral agencies, including the World Food Program and UNICEF, along with NGOs, including CARE Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Humanity and Inclusion.
- Canadian “blocking legislation” seeks to protect Canadian corporations from U.S. measures that aim to prevent foreign countries from engaging in international trade with Cuba.
- Canada and Mexico were the only two countries in the Western hemisphere in the 1960s to preserve diplomatic relations with Cuba.
- Cuba was the first country to be granted permission to fish in Canadian waters when Canada extended the 12-mile territorial limit to 200 miles.
- Today, Canadians comprise the largest number of tourists to visit the island (34%).
- Cuba is Canada’s top market in the Caribbean/Central American sub-region and Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the region.
PRAYER
God of life and hope.
You have shown us what is good and what is required of us.
In this broken world where so many are suffering from hunger, poverty, and sickness,
Help us act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with you.
We especially lift up the country of Cuba, which has faced its most significant humanitarian crisis in more than 60 years.
Help us to stand in solidarity with Cuba and its people during these difficult times through prayer, material support, and advocacy.
We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who walks with the weak,
Amen
Environmental Racism
Environmental racism names the reality that sites likely to be environmentally contaminated (toxic waste dumps, heavily polluting industries etc.) are significantly more likely to be placed near Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities or nations. This template advocates that the Government of Canada work to redress instances of environmental racism and uphold Indigenous peoples’ right to conserve and protect their lands (Article 29 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).
Write your own letter
Learn more
- See a Joint Statement , signed by the church, to the Government of Canada as the government was developing a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice.
- Watch this Environmental Racism webinar by For the Love of Creation (a PCC partner)
Prayer
Loving God,
We pray for those facing environmental contamination of lands and waters that they love, live on, and care for.
Too often these harms disproportionately impact Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities. We ask for your guidance in seeking ways to address all forms of racism.
We pray for land and water defenders and community leaders as they seek to protect their communities, lands and waters.
Bring your compassion and wisdom to governments and officials when they make decisions that impact the health of people and the environment.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.
Guaranteed Liveable Income
Despite being a democratic nation with comparatively abundant access to resources, poverty affects countless individuals in Canada. Poverty rates in Canada are rising, according to the Poverty Dashboard (maintained by the Government of Canada). Those living in poverty are not a distant minority but a growing majority: Poverty and wealth inequality often reflect ethical injustice in the political, social and economic systems that are meant to serve the people
Living Faith calls us to “[seek] fairness in society… [and] involves the protection of human beings” and to strive for “fair laws justly administered” (Living Faith 8.4.5). The 1973 General Assembly communicated its support of a guaranteed annual income to the federal government (A&P 1973, pp. 274-278, 282, 40) and has continued to push for the mitigation of poverty, including through a guaranteed annual income. Call for Justice 4.5 from Reclaiming Power and Place, the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also calls specifically for a guaranteed annual livable income for all Canadians to be established.
This template letter invites support of Bill S-206 which aims to introduce measures for a Guaranteed Livable Income in Canada.
Learn more
- Social Supports, poverty and housing – actions and statements of the church
- Dimensions of Poverty Hub
- Public Bill (Senate) S-206 (45-1) – First Reading – National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act – Parliament of Canada
Prayer
God of justice,
Amidst a suffering world,
We turn to you
In search of your grace.
Your gifts of abundance have been commodified and objectified
without consideration of your creation.
We have falsely presumed ownership over what we have been graciously given.
For this, we are sorry.
We ask for your forgiveness and your help to transform our hearts and actions.
Through you may we find the courage
To fight for the just distribution of financial resources,
And a hopeful and healing world.
Ecumenical joint statement on the war in and around Iran
This template letter addresses the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, and Iran’s subsequent retaliation. The letter high lights an ecumenical joint statement: “Widening conflict in the Middle East raises deep concerns for humanitarian and social impact,” written by a number of global Christian organizations including the World Council of Churches and the ACT Alliance (the church is member of both organizations) and asks that Canada calls for: an immediate ceasefire; for the urgent resumption of diplomatic engagement and political dialogue through established international and regional mechanisms; and for full compliance by all States with their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter.
Ecumenical letter to PM Carney, A call for concrete action and meeting
On July 28th 2025, The Moderator of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada signed an ecumenical letter to Canada’s Prime Minister expressing deepening grief and frustration and urging the Government of Canada to act decisively to end the abhorrent suffering and violence in Gaza. This template is based off that letter and urges the government to take concrete steps to uphold human rights and international law.
Escalating Conflict in the Middle East
On May 20, 2025, Prime Minister Carney stated that “if Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.” (See full statement here: https://x.com/MarkJCarney/status/1924604023682007387 ). The situation has not improved and unconscionable violence and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue. Full, safe and ongoing access to humanitarian aid and a ceasefire are urgent, life and death matters. Canadian Friends of Sabeel, with whom The Presbyterian Church in Canada has a relationship with through our membership in KAIROS, has prepared a short template letter urging the Prime Minister to live up to his word. It can be downloaded and printed here for mailing; no postage is needed, simply cut out one of the templates, sign it and put it in an envelope addressed Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2. Consider sharing the remaining templates with friends and family members.
Download pdf to print, sign and send
In the face of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a letter originally signed by the Moderator in October 2024 and sent to the Prime Minister of Canada has been adapted into a template and is available here. As with the original letter, the template is written out of a commitment to the protection of all people made vulnerable by violence, given the denomination’s long history of political and economic advocacy where human rights are violated or genocide is suspected. In line with previous commitments and the church’s understanding of what faithful witness in the world today demands, the template calls on the Government to commit to five different actions, urging Canada to continue to push for a permanent ceasefire. The original letter can be found on the Letters to the Government page.
A World without Nuclear Weapons
Many people believe that the existence of nuclear weapons is incompatible with the dream of a peaceful world and have thus supported the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. But countries that have nuclear weapons capabilities or are members of agreements, such as NATO, where nuclear weapons are a core component of defence and deterrence policies, do not support the Ban Treaty, including Canada. With nuclear deterrence, which relies on the idea of mutually assured destruction, one single mistake, made only once, whether intended or not, can result in catastrophe. Write to the Government of Canada encouraging the Government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Original letter
Write your own letter
Violence against the Rohingya
The Rohingya people are a minority ethnic group who have lived for centuries in the western coastal region of Myanmar; their northern border is adjacent to the neighbouring state of Bangladesh. The Rohingya are Muslims in a country that is overwhelmingly Buddhist and have linguistic and other differences making them a visible minority in Myanmar. For decades the Rohingya have experienced violence and oppression from the Myanmar government and military; since 1982 the Rohingya have been denied citizenship by Myanmar, making them the largest group of stateless people recognized by the United Nations.
Violent attacks on villages have led to several waves of flight into neighbouring areas, notably Bangladesh. The most recent and largest wave of displacement happened in 2017, in response to especially violent attacks that burned entire villages to the ground and led to many deaths. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees, including many children, fled in this wave. There are still more than 900,000 Rohingya refugees unable to return home five years later.
Even though the specific violence that led to the most recent wave of displacement is now several years in the past, it still shapes the daily lives of many people. The camp that houses the majority of Rohingya refugees remains the largest refugee camp in the world. It is overcrowded and being stateless and homeless leaves people vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Sufficient food and health care is precarious and these conditions are exacerbated during the months-long monsoon season.
Global Food Security
Global hunger is on the rise. Part of the problem is that food is being treated as a commodity rather than a necessity and a human right. Decisions about food security (e.g., what is grown and where and seed price) are being determined by globalized agri-businesses rather than the people who grow or need food. This problem is exacerbated by skewed free trade agreements that favour rich countries and encourage privatization, deregulation and government austerity measures that force small-scale farmers in the global south to grow crops for export (e.g., coffee, sugar) instead of food to sustain their families. The 2022 General Assembly invited congregations and individuals to study the complexities of food systems and advocate for governmental policies that protect the human right to food.
Global Vaccine Equity
The inequal access and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines drew attention to global vaccine inequality. In a time when 89% of eligible Canadians had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, only 10% of people in low-income countries had received at least one dose. In 2022 the moderator wrote to the Government of Canada recommending that Canada work to develop domestic vaccine production capacity and develop a policy whereby a fixed portion of all vaccines produced in Canada are allocated to low and middle-income countries that face barriers to adequate vaccine supply.
Read the original letter
Write your own letter advocating that Canada be a hub for vaccine production
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While almost 90% of eligible Canadians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, only 10% of people in low-income countries have done the same. Learn more and join the church’s push for global vaccine equity.
Prayer
All things look to you, O God,
to give them life and sustenance.
Look in mercy and kindness on all people,
and hear our prayer for those whose lives and livelihoods
are threatened by COVID-19.
Guide and bless the labour of people who give their talent and time to service those in need of any kind.
And let all enjoy the good gifts of your creation and life in peace.
With grateful hearts, we thank you for all your mercies and blessings.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.
Learn More
The Treatment of Palestinian Children in Israel Military Detention
Many Canadian Presbyterians have expressed their sadness and anger at the senseless deaths of Palestinian children and the many more who are detained in military prison. They are minors. It is hard to imagine how they will react as they are separated from their parents and siblings. It must be frightening.
It is estimated that between 500 and 700 Palestinian children, as young as 12 years old, are charged under military law and imprisoned. They are denied due process and their treatment violates international human rights standards. These children should be home with their families, not detained or imprisoned.
In 2020, The Presbyterian Church in Canada called on the Canadian Government to appoint a Special Envoy to monitor and report on the treatment of Palestinian children living in the Occupied Territory and Gaza. The request has not been realized, however the need for such a Special Envoy urgently remains.
Read the original letter
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Hundreds of Palestinian children are held in Israeli military detention, in violation of international human rights standards. Learn, pray and act for justice.
Prayer
Your love, O God, knows no boundaries, of gender, race, faith or nationality.
You sent Jesus who surprised his followers when he embraced children and said
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives him who sent me;
for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is greatest.”
Inspire us to be champions for those who are imprisoned.
Inspire us by the Holy Spirit to be persistent in our prayers and
calls for justice in the lands your son walked
and hear our prays for peace in Palestine-Israel.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
“An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side” (Luke 9: 46-47)
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National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
In June 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report, Reclaiming Power and Place containing 231 recommendations, called “Calls for Justice.” The report documents the systemic callousness and racism that have led to Indigenous women and girls being targeted for violence, why this situation has been allowed to continue, and what can be done to stop it. The findings of the Inquiry have been accepted by the Government of Canada, and by the church (A&P 2021 p. 38). The Calls for Justice provide guidance for governments, and all Canadians, to work to end the crisis.
The church is committed, with God’s guidance, to seek healing and wholeness with Indigenous peoples in ways that uphold the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and which put into meaningful action the church’s rejection of the Doctrine of Discovery (A&P 2019, pp. 35, 368-377). The original letter, written in December 2021, witnesses to the lived experiences of targeted violence that Indigenous women and girls face in Canada, and asks the government for information about how it will respond to the Inquiries’ Calls for Justice. The template letter is updated periodically and encourages federal Members of Parliament to support the work of implementing the Calls for Justice.
Read the original letter
Write your own letter
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Racism in Canada has targeted Indigenous women and girls and all too often ended in violence. This must stop. Learn, pray and act for justice.
Prayer
Creator God,
You called us to love our neighbour as ourselves
but collectively we have not, and individually we often fall short.
We say we all reflect your image
but when we act, our actions do not match our words.
For those of us living with pain or grief caused by racism and colonialism,
we pray that you send your Spirit to healing and strengthen.
For those of us living with privilege and wondering what to do,
we pray that your Spirit give wisdom and strength to work for the end of systems that oppress.
As Christ came to set captives free,
free us all from those ways of thinking, speaking and acting
that belittle or harm your beloved people
and show us again how to live in your love.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Learn More
- Final Report – National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- The PCC’s Social Action Hub – Indigenous Rights
- The PCC’s study guide “Why work to decolonize”
- The PCC and the Doctrine of Discovery
TRC Call to Action 21: Indigenous Healing Centres
Call to Action 21 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls for the government to provide sustainable funding for existing and new Indigenous healing centres to address the harms of Residential Schools and colonization.
Migrant Workers in Canada
There are hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in Canada. Many migrant workers fill essential work positions in low-paying service and labour jobs, often found in agriculture, domestic care, recreation, hospitality services, retail, food and manufacturing industries. Documented complaints demonstrate grueling work and long hours. Other documented issues include no access to water for agricultural workers, no days off and expanded duties for domestic workers. Many face exploitation and abuse without a clear path for remedy and fear job loss or even deportation if they do complain. Few provinces have legislation to safeguard the rights of workers. Without this, migrant workers are vulnerable.
We believe that all people are beloved of God and are deserving of dignity and respect. As a community of faith, we can advocate for the rights of migrant workers so that all people can have access to the physical, social, psychological and spiritual resources that are needed for human flourishing.
Read the original letter
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Migrant workers contribute significantly to Canadian society and economy but are too often left vulnerable, with little legal protection or recourse. Learn, pray and act for justice. Advocate for the rights of migrant workers.
Prayer
Loving God,
help us to consider and treat all other people as we would like to be treated ourselves.
We pray for workers who are far from their homes and families that their hopes and dreams
might be fulfilled as we would pray for our own families.
Amen
From “Time for Justice” bulletin of the PCC’s International Affairs Committee.
Learn More
- Read the report of the International Affairs Committee on migrant workers.
- Learn how church partner KAIROS is supporting migrant workers through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refugees & Asylum Seekers
The Presbyterian Church in Canada has a history of advocating for the rights and dignity of immigrants, migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers stemming from the biblical principle to love and protect the “stranger” in our midst. Recent changes in Canadian immigration policy do not align with these values of love and care for the stranger in our midst.
This template addresses recent changes to immigration policy that erode protections for people claiming asylum in Canada. It also addresses reductions to the number of refugees that can be sponsored for resettlement in Canada, even if there are sufficient resources to sponsor more people.
This template addresses resisting false and harmful narratives about newcomers and advocates for increased support for refugees.
Read the original letter
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The church advocates for protecting the rights and dignity of immigrants, migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers. Learn, pray and act for justice.
Prayer
Loving God,
You teach us to love and protect the “stranger” among us.
Help us grow as people who love and care for all our neighbours in ways that reflect your love for all.
Amen.
Learn More
Sports Gambling Advertising
Since the federal government legalized single event sports betting in 2021 gambling has increased, and so too has the risk of harms of gambling. Marketing gambling has the effect of normalizing gambling activities, influencing a more positive attitude toward gambling and minimizing or obscuring the harms of gambling. Marketing works: this is why lottery and gaming companies invest so heavily in advertising. A 2024 study by the University of Bristol found that 21.6% of the duration of the live coverage of NBA and NHL games televised in Ontario contained gambling logos, or references to gambling. The church has consistently opposed gambling and lotteries. While it would be best if advertising gambling was prohibited entirely, at a minimum, prohibiting marketing a risky and potentially addictive behaviour during sporting events would make a significant impact on lowering the risk of harm from gambling.
This template letter draws attention to Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising, which proposes measures to better address the risks of sports gambling advertising through federal legislation.
Learn more
- Information about the church’s statements and action regarding gambling
- Information about Bill S-211 An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising
Compassionate God,
We pray for people struggling with gambling addiction, and all those affected. May your Spirit bring healing and comfort.
We pray for governments and decision makers that oversee gambling regulations; guide their work in ways that can reduce the harms of gambling and support healing.
Amen
For more information, contact Justice Ministries, call 1-800-619-7301 or click the Contact Us button.