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)
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party advocates:
– formation of a special Committee for Indigenous Issues, to collaborate with First Nations and Métis peoples and their representative organizations within the province to identify and address issues such as the lack of clean drinking water on reserves, within the scope of provincial jurisdiction.
Rural Communities
The party advocates:
– promoting programs to provide essential services back to small rural communities, thereby creating jobs and fostering future growth within the healthier environment that small communities offer
– providing grant opportunities to small communities with populations under 5,000 residents for the purpose of upgrading firefighting equipment.
Immigration & Newcomers
The party advocates:
– provincial control of immigration policies relating to Saskatchewan, to ensure that immigrants contribute positively to the province without adhering to a quota system
Green Party of Saskatchewan Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party states that:
– it acknowledges the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the world, as custodians of the land and its resources.
– it honours cultural, linguistic, ethnic, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity within the context of individual responsibility toward all beings.
– it defends the right of all persons, without discrimination, to an environment supportive of their dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being.
– it promotes the building of respectful, positive and responsible relationships across lines of division in the spirit of a multi-cultural society.
The party advocates:
– learning, as a society, to live within the ecological and resource limits of the planet
– where knowledge is limited, taking the path of caution, in order to secure the continued abundance of the resources of the planet for present and future generations
– recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to the basic means of their survival, both economic and cultural, including rights to land and to self determination; and acknowledgment of their contribution to the common heritage of national and global culture
– recognition of the rights of ethnic minorities to develop their culture, religion and language without discrimination, and to full legal, social and cultural participation in the democratic process
Rural Communities
The party states that:
– it recognizes that it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance.
– a successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a living wage which reflects the real value of a person’s work.
– local communities must develop an economy that assures protection of the environment and worker’s rights, broad citizen participation in planning, and enhancement of our quality of life.
– it supports cooperatives and public enterprises that distribute resources and control to more people through democratic participation.
New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan Support for the Marginalized
The party states that:
– people in Saskatchewan believe that everyone, no matter where they are from or what they look like, deserves the same chance at success.
– we all do better when we remember that we are all in this together.
To that end the party advocates:
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– developing a disabilities strategy to ensure everyone in Saskatchewan is able to reach their full potential.
Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party advocates:
– working with First Nations in Saskatchewan to ensure First Nation schools receive equal funding.
– empowering people, small businesses, municipalities and First Nations and Métis communities to generate their own power and create a distributed energy grid.
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– investing $10 million to act on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Rural & Northern Communities
The party states that:
– its top priority is developing Renew Saskatchewan, to create jobs, lower bills and reduce emissions.
– it seeks also to reintroduce an independent Ministry of Northern Affairs.
The party advocates:
– introducing a Rural Reconnect program to provide high-quality Internet and cellular service everywhere in Saskatchewan.
– investing $3 million into a rural education strategy to ensure we meet the unique needs of small-town schools.
– instituting a job creators’ plan to support local small businesses as they adapt to the vital and necessary $15/hour minimum wage.
– lowering crop insurance rates for new farmers to help them get started and provide $20 million per year to increase AgriStability reference margins.
– empowering people, small businesses, municipalities and First Nations and Métis communities to generate their own power and create a distributed energy grid.
Immigration & Newcomers
The party advocates:
– improving the recognition of foreign credentials to allow more of our newest Canadians to fully participate in the economy.
– working with the federal government to restore the family class of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, allowing newcomer families to put down roots and succeed in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Progress Party Solidarity with the Marginalized
With the disabled
The party advocates:
– providing the same financial support and health benefits to all individuals unable to work due to health reasons, regardless of formal status of disability;
– support programs that provide additional support and aids to assist individuals to improve health and possibly regain independence.
Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party advocates:
– negotiating strong inter-governmental relationships with Indigenous communities;
– encouraging self-governance and independence;
– creating working groups to increase inter-governmental efficiency between both parties;
– acting on all provincially relevant Truth & Reconciliation (TRC) calls to action;
– opening up the North through partnerships, education, and investment; and
– forging Indigenous partnerships to work towards agreements to ensure equal funding for quality education of all Indigenous communities.
Northern & Rural Communities
The party advocates:
– increased funding for post-secondary education within provincial Northern communities understanding that location should not be a detriment to quality education at the post-secondary level.
Saskatchewan Party Solidarity
Among its Guiding Principles the party lists:
– a strong social safety net which protects those who truly need support while encouraging individuals to become self sufficient;
– democratic reform to make government more responsive to the people it serves.
Support for the Marginalized
For the Disabled
Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– expand individualized funding for autism services to children under 12.
– improve Deafblind services in Saskatchewan by funding more supports.
The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget allocates funds to help fund insulin pumps and glucose monitors.
– the budget also contains a $4-million increase to continue to meet the needs of children and their families through the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding Program
Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party states that:
– its 2024-2025 budget targets more than $255 million for First Nation and Métis people and organizations, an increase of $6.1 million over the previous year. The budget is bolstered by a $91.2-million investment from gaming payments to support Indigenous-led social and economic initiatives.
– to support the well-being of Indigenous women, girls and Two‐Spirit people, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ Community Response Fund invests $800,000 for grassroots organizations and communities to develop and deliver projects that help prevent violence and build safety.
– to continually enhance consultations related to the duty to consult, the 2024-25 Provincial Budget provides an increase of $930,000 to support First Nation and Métis communities in participating in the consultation process.
– the budget further includes $10.4 million to support the changing service needs of current adult clients with intellectual disabilities, as well as the delivery of residential and day programs for new clients.
– a further $7.6-million investment will help plan and construct 10 new group homes, along with one assessment and stabilization home.
– Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living will continue to assist people with physical disabilities to live a more active and independent lifestyle.
Immigration & Newcomers
The party states that:
– to help meet current and future labour market needs as the province grows, the Ministry of Ministry of Immigration and Career Training will invest in training and settlement supports for in-demand health professions. This includes training seats for continuing care aides, licensed practical nurses and medical lab assistants.
– the ministry’s 2024-2025 budget includes $856,000 to support record nominations through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, which will help address the labour needs of Saskatchewan employers. Safeguards are being added to the program to enhance fraud detection and protect its integrity. Additionally, the Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Office will continue to help individuals with foreign credentials or those who are licensed in other provinces navigate the licensure pathways with their respective regulators. This is another effort to ensure the province has a skilled workforce and trained professionals in place to support the growing economy.
Saskatchewan United Party Support for the Marginalized | Indigenous Rights & Relations | Rural Communities | Immigration & Newcomers
Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it believes reconciliation with provincial Indigenous First Nations communities begins with support for meaningful economic policies for the prosperity and wellbeing of such communities and establishing a collaborative path for a united Saskatchewan beneficial to all residents.
– it promotes personal responsibility of residents, while focusing on important social programs to address the underlying causes and needs of those who require support.
– it recognizes the richness of the province’s diverse population, while at the same time measuring provincial immigration policies to maintain and improve the standard of life of current residents, while also protecting Saskatchewan’s traditions and way of life.
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?