“A belief in the sacredness of life and that all people deserve to live in dignity and safety is what brings us here today,” said Leah Reesor-Keller, KAIROS’ Transitional Executive Director, in her opening remarks during the press conference on May 22, part of the Ottawa Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage. Since April, local church leaders, congregations and communities of faith from 150 congregations walked or rolled more than 10,000 kilometers collectively in their communities from Victoria, B.C. to St. John’s, N.L., calling for just peace in Palestine and Israel. Church leaders joined 200 other pilgrims in Ottawa for a final pilgrimage and a vigil on Parliament Hill, followed by a press conference and meetings with MPs.

In January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Since the ICJ’s ruling, about 9,000 Gazans have been killed, humanitarian aid blocked, and several aid workers killed. As Christian faith leaders, we are compelled to speak against hatred and injustice, and to pursue peace. We urgently ask the Canadian government to unequivocally uphold international law and human rights, and hold states accountable for their legal obligations.

From Op-Ed published in The Hill Times, May 22 by Leah Reesor-Keller, the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, the Rev. Dr. J. Dorcas Gordon.

Summer solstice quickly approaches. This is a time of great meaning for Indigenous Peoples. The day isn’t simply a day to mark the longest day of the year, the beginning of summer and the time for barbeques and beaches. Like the changes of seasons, we also go through seasons of change. There are times to pause, times to learn and times of new beginnings to shed what no longer serves us. This is the time to remind us to turn inward and nourish what is needed for us to grow and evolve.

The KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle (KIRC) met at Millbrook First Nation in Mi’kma’ki (also known as Truro, N.S.). Learn more about the people of Mi’kma’ki and KIRC’s work, including a story of the repatriation of important cultural artifacts as told by Heather Stevens, Manager of the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre.

On May 25, KAIROS hosted the first of four community dialogues on just transition at the Wanuskewin Centre in Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis. The dialogue was convened as part of KAIROS’ Strengthening Voices for a Just Transition project. This project aims to nurture dialogue on the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the energy transition and strengthen the transition’s policymaking with principles of equity, fairness, Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and ecological integrity. 

KAIROS celebrates Canada’s announcement that it will offer permanent residency to migrant caregivers upon arrival in Canada, while holding its breath in anticipation of an announcement of a regularization program for people who are undocumented. 

KAIROS is pleased to announce that CUPE Local 4557 will offer nationwide coverage to accommodate workers hired outside of Ontario. Local 4557 has represented KAIROS’ workers (non-management) since the organization’s beginning. KAIROS’ and the Local’s first collective agreement was ratified in April 2003. 

KAIROS actions to build a better world, such as e-petitions, letters to elected officials and advocacy events are housed on the KAIROS Advocacy page.