Faith in action: the 2025 federal election and the United Church
This resource includes links to workshops and resources, and will be updated and re-posted weekly until the election.
As faith communities, and registered charities, we don’t promote or critique only one party. We address all of them, we focus on their social policies, and we expect accountability of all of them. Below are some suggested principles and resources to help people of faith engage the federal election process.
We are called to speak up for what we believe in, not only what we oppose.
We are called to name our values, including what our faith calls us to. We live in a polarized and often anxious world and country, and it’s easy to focus on what we oppose. Try to ask others, especially those you disagree with, to name their values and their hopes.
Respond rather than react, working with communal and individual spiritual and faith resources.
Encourage people to engage the whole process, and vote.
Watch out for dis/misinformation. We are all vulnerable to it, because it’s tailored to spark an instant emotional reaction and to reinforce what we already believe. Always check your sources, and think before you post or share. Ask others for their sources if big, polarizing, or unlikely claims or situations are being presented as real.
Be aware that targeted and vulnerable communities are often the target of dis/misinformation, and be aware of the spiritual and emotional impact of this targeting.
Put another way by our Mennonite family members:
“I commit to loving my neighbours in the following ways:
• Listen with curiosity and compassion
• Speak with authenticity and integrity
• Act for the good of my community, here at home and around the world”
Upcoming Workshops (click on the date for the link to information and registration)
Tuesday April 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Federal Election Forum. Craig Norris, Host of the Morning Edition on CBC will moderate. Although everyone is very welcome, we are asking people to register to keep track of numbers. In person (Waterloo, ON) and online. If you register, a link for the online streaming will be sent to you. Click here for the registration link
April 24th Egale- Vote with Pride:
Some key resources (click on each for the link to information)
Groups bringing justice concerns to the election process
United Church home page for election resources (scroll down to the bottom for resources- note that these will change as they’re being constantly updated.)
KAIROS Canada election resources on key issues and engaging your candidates well. (The United Church is a founding and active member of this ecumenical justice coalition.) Their resources include: Indigenous Rights; Ecological Justice; Gender Justice; Migrant Justice; Jubilee 2025
Citizens for Public Justice election resources and travelling/ online meetings (CPJ is a long-standing Christian social justice coalition.)
Mennonite Central Committee: Every Action Counts
Specific justice concerns: choose what you are called to prioritise!
Climate justice
Faith and the Common Good- Interfaith advocacy group
For the Love of Creation- Interfaith Advocacy
Nature Canada- Election 2025 Platform
Guaranteed Livable Income
United Church of Canada – Guaranteed Livable Income
Healthcare
Canadian Public Healthcare Association election focus issues
Recorded Webinar: Federal Election 2025: Protecting Medicare in Canada (March 28, 48 min)
Housing
Housing Canada: A Sovereign Plan to Protect Canadians and Build a Resilient Housing System. This resource includes an overview, and links to “Take action and email federal leaders,” and to “Download the full plan”
National Right to Housing Network- Questions for your federal candidates
Indigenous rights
KAIROS Canada election resources
2SLGBTQIA+ rights
Human rights of gender-diverse/ 2SLGBTQIA people (Momentum Canada)
Palestine and Israel justice and peace
Vote Palestine: A coalition that includes Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and secular groups