From disposable to indispensable: providing foreign migrant workers with a pathway to permanent residency
May 11, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic reveals how foreign migrant workers contribute to Canada’s economy and society by doing the jobs that too few Canadians want. Their work ensures that our food industry thrives, that young, elderly, and at-risk Canadians receive proper care,…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Op Eds
May 14: CNCA Webinar with KAIROS partners and federal MPs
May 10, 2020
On Thursday, May 14th, join KAIROS, KAIROS partners from the Philippines, and other members of the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA), including Development and Peace and the United Church of Canada, for a webinar during the Month of Action for Mining Justice. The…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
KAIROS African partners respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 6, 2020
In order to avoid the spread of virus COVID-19, “We must also be particularly aware exactly what we normally do, is what we should not do now, if we want to protect life.” A quote from the Pastoral Message from the South Sudan Council of…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Women peacebuilders respond to COVID-19
May 6, 2020
Advising remote communities on how to protect themselves from COVID-19 and assisting women who are experiencing an increase in gender-based and domestic violence are a few of the ways that KAIROS’ Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security partners are responding to the…
Post filed in: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America, Middle East
Urge Canada to protect all migrant workers with residency status now!
May 5, 2020
With COVID-19 exposing and enhancing the vulnerability of migrant workers, your help is needed now more than ever. Migrant workers deserve our deepest respect for the work they do. They have a right to be safe and secure both in their workplaces and at home. They should…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Two poems offered on the National Day of Awareness for #MMIWG
May 5, 2020
The Colour Red She opened her eyes. Felt the chill that traveled from toes to chest. She was empty and hollow. To feel, there needed to be awareness, awareness she could not find in a disassociated moment. If red had a feeling it was…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Call for the release of vulnerable prisoners in the Philippines
May 4, 2020
KAIROS joins several Canadian development, human rights, solidarity and ecumenical organizations, churches and trade unions in sending a letter to the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines urging him to work with his counterparts in the Philippines to ensure the release of the most vulnerable non-violent…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific
A public letter on Guaranteed Basic Income
May 4, 2020
Forty one Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada bishops have sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance calling for a Guaranteed Basic Income.Read the letter
Post filed in: Uncategorized
Letter to the Editor: Granting residency to migrant workers would demonstrate genuine appreciation for their services
May 4, 2020
Re: Alberta Cargill’s Alberta beef plant to reopen next week after COVID-19 outbreak forced closure(April 30): The COVID-19 outbreak at two beef-processing plants in southern Alberta highlights vulnerabilities faced by foreign migrant workers in Canada. It also reveals how much they…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Large-scale resource extraction exacerbates the threat of COVID-19 across the American hemisphere, especially for Indigenous peoples
May 4, 2020
Across Abya Yala and Turtle Island, territories otherwise known as America, governmental and corporate responses to and amid the spread of the novel coronavirus have put into sharp focus the crisis of the status quo. This is especially true of large-scale resource extraction. The grave threat…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Op Eds
A joint statement: Gender, faith and COVID-19
May 4, 2020
KAIROS supports the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other Global faith-based organizations in their call for gender justice amid COVID-19 response. “A Joint Statement: Gender, Faith and COVID-19” depicts why the impacts of COVID-19 are being hardest felt by women and girls. The statement reads: “As the…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Migrant workers are not to blame for outbreak in meat-packing plants
April 30, 2020
KAIROS offers thoughts and prayers to the families of the meat-packing plant workers who recently succumbed to COVID-19, and extends solidarity and support to the temporary foreign workers and immigrants facing discrimination and being blamed for the coronavirus outbreaks at the Cargill and JBS meat-packing plants in Alberta. Unfortunately,…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Spirited Reflection: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
April 30, 2020
There are specific days that I remember, which forever changed my understanding and perspectives about being a First Nations woman in Canada. Like so many in this country, I grew up with the cliched ideas of Canadian society-polite people surrounded by clean cities and…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Canadian Phase of MERE Hub to Launch in June
April 29, 2020
Later this June the Canadian phase of KAIROS’ digital platform Mother Earth and Resource Extraction: Women Defending Land and Water (MERE Hub, for short) is scheduled to launch. This phase will bring together content and material to support research, advocacy, information sharing, and movement building around…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
For the Love of Creation: A faith-based initiative for climate justice
April 22, 2020
(le français suit)Canadian churches and faith-based organizations have a long history of work in ecological conservation, environmental activism, and advocacy for climate justice. To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are coming together on a journey of reflection,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, En français
Letter to federal ministers with direct oversight of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
April 20, 2020
In its letter to those federal ministers with direct oversight of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, KAIROS expresses appreciation for the government’s inclusive and positive response to calls for assistance from temporary foreign workers, especially seasonal agricultural workers, and emphasizes…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
KAIROS signs joint statement on human rights oversight of governments’ COVID-19 responses (English & French)
April 16, 2020
A total of 157 organizations and 144 individuals – including Indigenous organizations, civil society groups, unions, academics and former politicians– are urging federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to adopt robust oversight measures to strengthen human rights protection and guard…
Post filed in: En français
Prayer for Earth Day
April 16, 2020
On April 22, 2020 people around the world will recognize Earth Day for the 50th time. This year’s international theme is climate action; a part of our action as spiritual people is bringing our hopes and fears to God in…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Online Teach-in on Community Self-determination in the Face of Resource Extraction in Guatemala and Canada
April 14, 2020
On Wednesday, April 22, join MiningWatch Canada for “Finding Common Ground: Community self-determination in the face of resource extraction in Guatemala and Canada.” This KAIROS-endorsed online teach-in will focus on the peaceful resistance to the Escobal silver mine in southeastern Guatemala owned by Pan American Silver (formerly…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
Support for the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and their Lenten Call
April 8, 2020
Care and compassion for the poor, do not arrest or shoot them “A systematic distribution of food and other assistance are imperative right now. Again, our Lenten call, test more people and help the poor, do not arrest or shoot them,” Bishop Reuel…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Easter video message to share: Easter mystery in extraordinary times
April 6, 2020
Dear Friend,These are tough times we are living in right now. We are very concerned for the grave risks, particularly to vulnerable peoples and communities in Canada and around the globe. It can be hard to keep our spirits up. In…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
A message to Canadians from religious leaders in Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
April 2, 2020
Hope, gratitude and solidarityCanadians are experiencing the devastating impact of COVID-19 in what has become a rapidly evolving crisis. Understandably, this crisis has brought about feelings of anxiety, apprehension and fear. Critical elements of our daily lives are being thrown into…
Post filed in: Executive Director
Spirited Reflection: Join the Passion of the Lord
April 2, 2020
Scripture Matthew 26:14-27:54 Growing up I remember Palm Sunday with the sermons focused on those of us who would cheer for Jesus, and who were soon to betray him. We waived our palms in some services and more commonly, in Protestant Newfoundland…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Holding close to our hearts
March 31, 2020
In this time of isolation, staying behind doors and apart from one another, questions on the meaning and power of prayer may arise. How can I offer support to those far away? Is there a way to close the gap? As a…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
KAIROS offices are closed until May 31
March 31, 2020
Dear Friends.I want to reach out to you, sending strength and courage in these difficult times. Like many, we have made the decision to close our offices and suspend our in person programming (including KAIROS Blanket Exercises) until May 31, 2020. …
Post filed in: Uncategorized
Join the Global Climate Strike online
March 31, 2020
This Friday, April 3, the Global Climate Strike is going virtual! At 12 pm (EDT), Fridays for Future Toronto will host a 2-hour online rally with performers, speakers and opportunities for group action. The rally will be livestreamed on Facebook and other social media platforms. Tune in…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Thanks to outgoing regional representative, Wendy Kalkan
March 31, 2020
As a community we offer our thanks to Wendy Kalkan for nearly four years of service in the role of KAIROS Prairies North Regional Representative. Wendy completed her time in this role as of April 1st. There are many, many…
Post filed in: Regional News
