The Social Justice and Advocacy consultant, together with the Social Justice and Advocacy Committee, coordinates and advances the public witness of our Diocese on issues of social and ecological justice. We seek to be faithful to God’s call to compassion and justice, live out our baptismal vows, and engage faithfully with the world.
Our work connects with the Cast the Net Calls to Action, particularly:
- Call #4: Recognize and act on opportunities to participate in God’s healing work in the world
- Call #5: Make explicit connections between following Jesus and working for justice and peace
- Call #8: Intensify advocacy and action in response to the climate crisis
- Call #13: Enable and celebrate the work of ministries focused on service to the world
We also support those in the Diocese working on Call #6 (Strengthen Indigenous ministry; engage non-Indigenous Anglicans in reconciliation work) and Call #7 (Take, sustain and communicate actions that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism).
To learn more or get involved, contact Elin Goulden, Social Justice & Advocacy consultant, at [email protected] or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932).
Get started with our social justice and advocacy Parish Outreach Guide.
Find the 2025-26 Outreach and Advocacy Prayer Cycle on the Prayer Resources page.
Learn about our Social Justice Vestry Motion for 2026 and find related resources.
What’s new:
Municipal Issues and Advocacy
2026 Municipal Election Resource
Municipal elections will be held across Ontario on Monday, October 26, 2026. Municipal governments have an immediate impact on our daily lives, and also deliver key social programs such as social assistance, emergency shelter, and affordable housing, yet elector turnout for municipal elections is below one-third of eligible voters. You can change that! Use our updated Municipal Election Guide to learn more about municipal government and have conversations with candidates about social and environmental justice issues facing your local community. And don’t forget to vote on October 26!
Federal Issues and Advocacy:
Stop cuts to refugee healthcare!
“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress them. The foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the foreigner as yourself.” Leviticus 19:33-34
“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me…I was sick and you took care of me” Matthew 25:35-6
Starting May 1, 2026, the federal government will implement cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) which will force refugees and asylum-seekers to pay out-of-pocket for essential health care, including prescription medications, dental care, mental health counseling, vision care, and physiotherapy.
Under these cuts, refugees will face a $4 fee every time they pick up a prescription, and a 30% co-payment on dental, vision, counseling, and other supplemental care. Refugees often arrive with complex medical needs made worse by conflict and persecution and neglected during time in refugee camps. When they arrive in Canada, they cannot work until they receive work permits, which are often delayed. Those who do find work are usually working minimum wage with no benefits. Even though the co-payments may seem nominal, those struggling to rebuild their lives in a new country are likely to find them beyond their means. They will avoid filling prescriptions, going to the dentist, or getting the counselling they need after surviving trauma. They will get sicker and end up in emergency rooms that cost taxpayers far more than preventative care.
Similar cuts to the IFHP in 2012 were challenged by doctors and other healthcare worker. A federal court found the cuts amounted to “cruel and unusual treatment” – a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms – and reversed them. We must take this opportunity to speak out for the needs of vulnerable people fleeing war and persecution.
Our Social Justice & Advocacy Committee recently wrote to the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration urging them to reverse the planned cuts. You can use our letter as a template, and copy your local MP. You can also send a message here to speak out against these cuts.
What we do
We facilitate communications between the diocesan and suffragan bishops and various levels of government. We also educate, equip and support parishes and individual Anglicans in advocacy on social and ecological justice.
Priorities
Our ongoing social justice work is focused on three priority areas:
Other areas of concern, where we support the work of other church ministries, include:
Some of our key activities include:
- the annual social justice vestry motion
- the annual Outreach & Advocacy Conference
- the Outreach & Advocacy Prayer Cycle
- promoting events and advocacy campaigns through our newsletter and Facebook page
- providing advocacy resources and support for parishes