Church Teaching Solidarity is found in a commitment to the good of one’s neighbour.
The good of one is the good of all, and the other is as important as the self.
Injustice done to another is an injustice that affects everyone.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 193
Support for the Marginalized and the Vulnerable
Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care. If a society is governed primarily by the criteria of market freedom and efficiency, there is no place for such persons, and fraternity will remain just another vague ideal. Pope Francis – Fratelli tutti, 109
So many needy brothers and sisters are waiting for help, so many who are oppressed are waiting for justice, so many who are unemployed are waiting for a job, so many peoples are waiting for respect. How can it be that even today there are still people dying of hunger? Condemned to illiteracy? Lacking the most basic medical care? Without a roof over their head?
The scenario of poverty can extend indefinitely, if in addition to its traditional forms we think of its newer patterns. These new patterns often affect financially affluent sectors and groups which are nevertheless threatened by despair at the lack of meaning in their lives, by drug addiction, by fear of abandonment in old age or sickness, by marginalization or social discrimination… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 5
Disabilities, Mental Health & Addictions
Persons with disabilities are fully human subjects, with rights and duties: “in spite of the limitations and sufferings affecting their bodies and faculties, they point up more clearly the dignity and greatness of man.” Persons with disabilities are to be helped to participate in every dimension of family and social life at every level accessible to them and according to their possibilities… They too need to love and to be loved, they need tenderness, closeness and intimacy according to their capacities. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 148
Indigenous Peoples & Reconciliation
The relationship of Indigenous peoples to their lands and resources deserves particular attention, since it is a fundamental expression of their identity. These peoples offer an example of a life lived in harmony with the environment that they have come to know well and to preserve. Their extraordinary experience, which is an irreplaceable resource for all humanity, runs the risk of being lost together with the environment from which they originate. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 471
The Canadian Catholic Church supports the work of the Truth and Reconciliation commission. We are called to support thriving Indigenous communities in Canada, rooted in their unique cultures and traditions.
Northern & Rural Communities
Looking after the common good means making use of the new opportunities for the redistribution of wealth to the benefit of the underprivileged that until now have been excluded or cast to the sidelines of social and economic progress. Too often, social services and infrastructure development suffer from neglect in rural areas. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 299, 300, 363
Agricultural labour merits special attention… considering the many problems that need to be met in the context of an ever more globalized economy as well as its growing significance in safeguarding the natural environment. Radical and urgent changes are therefore needed in order to restore to agriculture — and to rural people — their just value as the basis for a healthy economy… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 363, 299.
Refugees, Immigrants & Newcomers
Ideally, unnecessary migration ought to be avoided; this entails creating in countries of origin the conditions needed for a dignified life and integral development. Yet until substantial progress is made in achieving this goal, we are obliged to respect the right of all individuals to find a place that meets their basic needs and those of their families, and where they can find personal fulfilment. Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be summarized by four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. – Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 129
In the modern world, where there are still grave inequalities between rich countries and poor countries, and where advances in communications quickly reduce distances, the immigration of people looking for a better life is on the increase. These people come from less privileged areas of the earth and their arrival in developed countries is often perceived as a threat to the high levels of well-being achieved thanks to decades of economic growth. In most cases, however, immigrants fill a labour need which would otherwise remain unfilled… Institutions in host countries must keep careful watch to prevent the spread of the temptation to exploit foreign labourers, denying them the same rights enjoyed by nationals, rights that are to be guaranteed to all without discrimination. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 297, 298
We are called to welcome immigrants and refugees with generosity and good will, as if they were Jesus Christ himself. Matthew, Chapter 25
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you,
and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt:
I am the Lord your God.
Lev. 19:33-34)
Green Party of Nova Scotia Indigenous Peoples
The party acknowledges that its members operate and live on the unceded land of the Mi’kmaq and that Nova Scotians have a responsibility as settlers and signatories of the Peace and Friendship Treaties to actively work toward Truth and Reconciliation to create a society where we learn from their wisdom as stewards of the land and are truly living in peace and friendship with the Mi’kmaq.
Decolonization and Reconciliation
The party states that it:
– supports and recognizes the rights of Mi’kmaq people to the use, protection, and stewardship of land vital to their cultures, health, and well-being.
– acknowledges the historic and current imbalances in the relationship between Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq people in Nova Scotia and the need to secure the basis for an improved quality of Mi’kmaw life.
– supports healthcare services incorporating traditional practices.
– recognizes the importance and role of extended families and elders, and ancestors.
– supports investment in public education to build awareness about the history, culture, and wisdom of indigenous peoples in Mi’kma’ki.
– supports government investment in preservation and revitalization of the Mi’kmaw language.
– supports collaboration with the federal government to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Missing and Murdered Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples report, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
– supports and acknowledges the right of Mi’kmaq people to have decision-making authority over the use of land and resources covered by the Peace and Friendship treaties. The treaties were reinforced in Nova Scotia by the Supreme Court Marshall decisions recognizing their rights to resource extraction.
– supports and acknowledges the co-management of all Crown and other publicly managed land, where no decision on the use or disposition of said land is made, without prior informed consent of Mi’kmaq people.
– supports collaborating with Mi’kmaq leaders to create a Land Back program to return the management and stewardship of all Crown lands to Mi’kmaq communities.
Liberal Party of Nova Scotia With the Marginalized
Mental Health & Addictions
The party states that:
– the ongoing challenges associated with substance use disorder demand a compassionate, holistic and effective approach to promote physical and mental health and well-being among individuals struggling with addiction.
– it recognizes the success of comprehensive programs in other jurisdictions, particularly the innovative model implemented in Portugal, which has demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing harm and fostering recovery.
The party advocates:
– encouraging the provincial government to establish a comprehensive and evidence-based substance use disorder program through an inclusive, evidence-based, and compassionate approach, which draws inspiration from successful models, including the harm reduction strategies implemented in Portugal.
– integrating harm reduction measures such as supervised consumption sites, needle exchange programs, safe supply and outreach services, to minimize the negative consequences associated with substance use.
– ensuring a continuum of accessible and culturally sensitive treatment services, including detoxification, rehabilitation, counseling, and mental health support, to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking recovery.
– working with other orders of government to create collaborative policies that prioritize a public health approach over criminal, punitive measures, as demonstrated by the successful decriminalization model in Portugal, to create a campaign to reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help without fear of legal repercussions.
– promoting the development and implementation of community education programs to raise awareness about the risks of substance use and promote preventive measures. Emphasize evidence-based education in schools and community settings.
– promoting the integration of peer support programs within the continuum of services to leverage the power of shared experiences in aiding recovery and promoting a sense of community.
– promoting the establishment of a robust system for collecting data on substance use trends, treatment outcomes, and the effectiveness of harm reduction measures, and support ongoing research to inform program enhancements and policy adjustments.
– promoting responses that foster collaboration with healthcare professionals, law enforcement, community organizations, and affected individuals to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery.
– promoting approaches that recognize the interconnection between substance use and mental health and ensure the inclusion of mental health services as an integral part of the comprehensive program.
– establishing mechanisms for ongoing program evaluation and adaptability, ensuring that the comprehensive substance use disorder program evolves based on emerging evidence and the evolving needs of the community.
– coordinating responses with other orders of government and relevant stakeholders, urging their commitment to the implementation and funding of this comprehensive substance use disorder program.
Immigrants and Newcomers
The party states that among its four top priorities it includes:
– stopping the current government’s efforts to double the population, by limiting population growth to in-demand workers and their families until the province has enough housing, healthcare, and schools to support more growth.
– as the provincial population is grown to support a growing economy and an aging population, the province must also plan for community infrastructure including roads, schools, doctors, and hospitals. The province needs an infrastructure plan to keep up with—and continually manage—such growth in order to ensure that sustainable levels are maintained.
– to that end it advocates ensuring that immigration targets are focused on growing the number of professionals needed in critical areas, including but not limited to: (i) physicians and healthcare professionals; (ii) teachers and early-childhood educators; (iii) construction workers and skilled tradespeople; and (iv) agriculture and aquaculture workers.
– it further advocates development of a comprehensive infrastructure development strategy based on population growth and immigration patterns for education, transportation, healthcare infrastructure, and social programs.
Rural Communities
The party states that as a first major step in addressing the cost of living crisis, it advocates:
– it advocates making public transit free across Nova Scotia, thereby eliminating barriers to transportation and providing up to $5,000 per year in savings for those who switch from driving to commuting by public transit, and investing in rural community transport to make it the most effective in Nova Scotia’s history, ensuring that community transportation organizations can lower costs and increase services.
Cape Breton
The party advocates:
– investing $300M over four years to spur economic development and infrastructure growth in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, using the funding to address (i) improving the CBRM’s infrastructure, (ii) growing the CBRM’s economy, (iii) improving opportunities for CBRM workers, (iv) alleviating the CBRM’s housing crisis, (v) improving transit in CBRM, and (vi) building capital projects that will have a long-term impact on Cape Breton.
– the party also commits to one-on-one negotiations with the CBRM regarding a CBRM municipal charter, which takes into account the region’s unique economic, social, and equalization circumstances.
The party has published no current specific statement concerning its policies relating to solidarity with:
• Indigenous Peoples
New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia With the Marginalized | Indigenous Peoples | Rural Communities | Immigrants & Newcomers
As of November 16, 2024, the party has published no comprehensive platform or policy documents. The party’s constitution states that it believes that the social, economic and political progress of Nova Scotia can be assured only by the application of social democratic and egalitarian principles to the governance and administration of public affairs; and that the Principles of Social Democracy can be briefly described as:
(1) That the production and distribution of goods and services shall be directed to meeting the social and individual needs of people within a framework that sustains the environment while maximizing the economy now and in the future;
(2) That the dignity and freedom of the individual is a basic right that must be maintained and extended to all persons regardless of race, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability;
(3) That the abolition of poverty and the elimination of exploitation are achievable goals and must be the priority of any thinking and compassionate government; and
(4) That the people have a right to a meaningful voice in public policy through consultation and participation in all levels of public decision-making.
(5) As an organization existing on the unceded and unconquered territory of the party is committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation and living as treaty people in Mi’kma’ki, and shall take guidance from the Calls to Action in the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The party has published no current specific statement concerning its policies relating to solidarity with:
- Those living with Disabilities or Addictions
- Rural Communities
- Immigrants and Newcomers
Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia With the Marginalized | Indigenous Peoples | Rural Communities | Immigrants & Newcomers
The party has published no current statement concerning its policies relating to solidarity with:
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural Communities
- Immigrants & Newcomers
Points to Ponder Points to Ponder: Solidarity
It is always important, as Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina has said, “to listen to the voices of the suffering, to be guided by them in how we respond and to be ready to engage with them in moving forward.” (Catholic Register 18 July 2021)
1. What does it mean – to the government, to social organizations, and to individual Canadians – to listen to, and to be guided by, the voice of someone who is suffering?
2. Who, in Saskatchewan and around the world, is suffering now?
3. How can such voices be heard so that a healthy, positive, and loving response can be determined?
Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation
1. How can the provincial government and the Church work together to facilitate reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, so that all Canadians can benefit from re-establishing right-relationship?
Mental Health & Addictions
Several parties have proposed decriminalization of drug dealing and drug possession, in order to focus on the treatment of addiction as a health care issue.
1. Is it possible, by decriminalizing drug sales and drug possession, to both relieve an overburdened criminal justice system and help more individuals heal and recover from addictions? If so, what might a helpful approach look like?
2. Is it possible, through review of criminal legislation, education, and focused health care initiatives, to give individuals greater freedom to “develop their potentialities, become aware of their dignity and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny?” (quoting St. John Paul II, On the Hundredth Year (Centesimus Annus) #39
3. Is there any way to ensure that such measures are accompanied by effective mechanisms to address the root causes of and eliminate drug abuse, for example through educational initiatives at all levels of society?
4. To what extent can or should such measures be tailored to the individual human needs, desires, and weaknesses of those caught in cycles of abuse?
Refugees & Newcomers
1. What is being done, and what, if anything, should further be done to ensure that refugees and newcomers are safe, healthy, and enabled to flourish in Saskatchewan?
2. It seems obvious that many immigrants are attracted by one or more features of Canadian life and culture. To what extent is it possible and proper to expose immigrants to Canadian culture and expect them to embrace it?
3. If it is possible and proper to any degree, how are Canadian life and culture to be defined, and by whom?
Northern & Rural Communities
1. What is being done, and what, if anything, should further be done to ensure vibrant, healthy rural life in Saskatchewan?
2. Of those measures, what should be done at the federal level? By the provinces? By businesses, residents, and civil associations in rural areas?
3. Northern areas are also of concern. What special circumstances are faced by those living in the North, and how should their needs best be assessed?