Tagged Transformative justice

A woman opens her wallet with concern, looking inside to find it empty. This is a symbolic of the economic turmoil happening in Canada during the 2025 federal election.

Economic turmoil and a federal election: what’s next for Canada?

The 2025 federal election is well underway with voting day coming up on Monday, April 28th. It’s been a chaotic several months. The US-initiated trade war, threats of annexation, and the election in Canada all happening so quickly initially alarmed me. But after reflection, I also see that an election and a new government in…

The time for a guaranteed livable basic income is now

Poverty is increasing in Canada, and income inequality has reached the highest levels in recorded history. These problems are having a major collective impact and as such, require a collective solution. This is an issue that intersects across all areas of Canadian Friends Service Committee’s work, leading us to speak out—in solidarity with many networks,…

A fact sheet from Canadian Friends Service Committee corrects myths about guaranteed livable basic income

Breaking free: a guaranteed livable basic income and transformative justice

Darla” is currently incarcerated in a federal institution in Canada. She deeply loves her three children. She also struggles with mental health issues. She’s concerned about her upcoming release from incarceration. She’s not sure how she’ll pay for food and shelter for her family, and is afraid that she won’t be able to access the…

CFSC's Transformative Justice Program Coordinator Karen Ridd stands in the a quiet street looking at the camera and smiling

An interview with our newest staff member, Karen Ridd

Matt: Welcome to CFSC, Karen! What’s surprised you about your work here so far? Karen: Thanks! I’m delighted to have joined CFSC! One great surprise actually happened during my interview for this position. I’d come prepared to suggest a name change away from talking about “criminal justice” work towards something that doesn’t stigmatize people who…

An abstract watercolour painting in light hues above the words "Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income"

Could a guaranteed livable basic income help reduce incarceration?

You probably believe in a Guaranteed Basic Income, too!” the voice on the other end of the phone said mockingly. Guaranteed Basic Income? Actually, I’d never heard of that before—but it immediately struck me as a good idea. I was a new mother at the time, calling my provincial Premier to raise concerns about the…

Close up of a hand writing a letter. Through the bars, correspondence with people in prisons matters!

Through the bars: making connections

Have you ever had a pen pal? Was it a good experience? Did you learn about where they lived, their customs and culture, or perhaps their life circumstances, including the joys and the sorrows? When I was in grade 7, our teacher decided that assigning pen pals to the class would be a great learning…

Elevate the Voices of Those with Lived Experience

Elevate the Voices of Those with Lived Experience

When I close my eyes and think about lived experience, I can still hear the words of children and youth I’ve met over the years: “They asked me questions in front of my parents. I couldn’t say anything with them in the room.” “It took me a year to say something to the teacher. I…