After extensive study and consultation this past spring, the Canadian Council of Churches released an inter-faith declaration on September 25, 2015 on the twin topics of poverty reduction and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable groups of Canadians.
The document On Promoting Climate Justice and Ending Poverty in Canada: Faith Communities in Canada Speak Out (Click here to view), calls on all levels of government to work together and with relevant stakeholders groups and experts to:
- create, support and sustain a suite of appropriate policy responses to mitigate and address climate change, keeping in mind its disproportionate impact on vulnerable and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations;
- develop and fund initiatives to reduce poverty and improve the social well-being of at-risk and marginalized groups in Canadian society; and
- respond fully to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Indian Residential Schools (TRC).
The Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms (CABF) is one of many faith-based organizations to formally endorse the report and its recommendations.