Catholic Conscience †

Awareness and discussion session
2018-04-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Our session at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto was well attended, and generated thoughtful discussion of the Catholic approach to voting. Thanks to the Newman Centre and all those who attended. Here’s the current schedule for our all-candidate and voter awareness meetings in the GTA over the coming weeks. Come learn about Christian voting values, and listen to and meet those who hope to represent you, in a thoughtful and respectful environment.
We’ll keep you posted as we add more meetings.
May 17, St Bonaventure Parish, 7-9:30PM
* Candidates for Don Valley East, North, and West
May 20, St Patrick’s Church, 1:30-3PM
* Candidates for Spadina-Fort York
May 22, St Peter’s Church, 7-8:30PM
* Voter Awareness: A Christian Approach to Voting
May 31, St Peter’s Church, 7-8:30PM
* Candidates for University-Rosedale

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto Don Valley Ridings
2018-05-17 19:00 - 20:30 | St Bonaventure’s Catholic Church, 1300 Leslie Street, North York, Ontario, M3C 2K9, Canada
Our May 15 meeting for the Don Valley
Our 2018 Don Valley Provincial Candidates’ Forum took place from 7-9PM on May 17, 2018, at St Bonaventure’s Church, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto. Participating candidates were invited to respond, in turns, to a number of questions asked by our moderator Carolyn Sue Kralik. The questions were drawn from the questions provided below. Answers of participating candidates are summarized below.
A video of the complete question and answer session is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fShOsvIRTTw&feature=youtu.be.
Participating candidates included:

Mr Morgan Bailey, Green Party candidate for Don Valley West
Mr Michael Coteau, Liberal candidate and incumbent for Don Valley East
Mr Jon Kieran, Progressive-Conservative candidate for Don Valley West
Mr Mark Wong, Green Party Candidate for Don Valley East

The following candidates were invited, but declined to attend.

Ms Kathleen Wynne, Liberal candidate, incumbent and Premier for Don Valley West
Mr Khalid Ahmed, New Democratic candidate for Don Valley East
Ms Shelley Carroll, Liberal candidate for Don Valley North
Mr Vincent Ke, Progressive Conservative candidate for Don Valley North
Mr Denzil Minnan-Wong, Progressive Conservative candidate for Don Valley East

To date, the following candidates from this meeting have returned completed questionnaires:

None

We are deeply grateful to all those who participated: the candidates, the voters, and the pastor and staff of St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto Spadina-Fort York
2018-05-20 15:30 - 17:00 | St Patrick’s Church, 131 McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T1W3, Canada
Our meeting for Spadina – Fort York during the 2015 federal elections
Candidates from all parties running in Toronto’s Spadina – Fort York riding have been invited to join us in the Neumann Hall at St Patrick’s Church on Sunday, May 20, from 3:30-5:00 PM for an opportunity to share their views on a variety of topics of interest for Catholic voters, and particularly topics concerning our parish. Following a Q&A session in which all candidates will be given an equal opportunity to speak, candidates and voters will be invited to mingle for individual interactions.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.
For those wanting to know more about the responsibilities of Catholics in elections, an information session will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 7-8:30pm in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church, 130 Bathurst Street (across from the Bathurst TTC subway stop).
See you there!

Voter Education: the Catholic Duty to Vote
2018-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Our April 2018 information session at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto
The Catholic duty to participate in society is firmly rooted in the Gospels, and includes the duty to vote conscientiously, after due reflection on current events, available choices, and the teachings of Christ. Join us for a brief, open discussion of the full range of issues Catholics are called to consider – and share your own thoughts.
Catholic conscience is a non-profit organization of concerned Catholics devoted to the education and engagement of voters and politicians in the truth and beauty of the full range of Catholic social teachings. Our goal is to put the Gospel teachings of Christ at the center of democratic discourse. We take no sides. We make no endorsements and do not encourage specific voting behaviors. We simply promote reflection on the Christian duties of love, participation, and good stewardship, as an integral part of the democratic political process.

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto University-Rosedale
2018-05-31 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Our meeting for University-Rosedale during the 2015 federal elections
Candidates from all parties running in Toronto’s University – Rosedale riding will join us in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church on Thursday, May 31, from 7-8:30 PM for an opportunity to share their views on a variety of topics of interest for Catholic voters, and particularly topics concerning our parish. Following a Q&A session in which all candidates will be given an equal opportunity to speak, candidates and voters will be invited to mingle for individual interactions.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.
For those wanting to know more about the responsibilities of Catholics in elections, an information session will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 7-8:30pm in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church, 130 Bathurst Street (across from the Bathurst TTC subway stop).
See you there!

Ontario General Election 2018
2018-06-07 | Ontario
The 42nd Ontario general election is scheduled to be held on or before June 7, 2018.Under amendments passed by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2004, Ontario elections had previously been held on the first Thursday of October in the fourth calendar year unless the Assembly is dissolved earlier by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario due to a motion of no confidence or on the advice of the Premier of Ontario.

Mexico - Federal Elections
2018-07-01 | Ontario
General elections are scheduled to be held in Mexico on 1 July 2018. Voters will elect a new president to serve a six-year term, 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 128 members of the Senate. The members of the legislature elected on this date will be the first allowed to run for re-election in subsequent elections.
Incumbent President Enrique Peña Nieto is not eligible for a second term according to the Mexican Constitution.

The President is elected by plurality in a single round of voting.
The 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected by two methods; 300 are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting, with the remaining 200 elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation, with seats allocated using the simple quotient and largest remainder method. No party is allowed to hold more than 300 seats.
The 128 members of the Senate are also elected by two methods, with 96 elected in 32 three-seat constituencies based on the states and 32 elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation. In the three-seat constituencies two seats are allocated to the party receiving the highest number of votes and one seat to the party receiving the second-highest number of votes.

New Brunswick General Election
2018-09-24 | Ontario

Quebec general elections
2018-10-01 | Ontario
The 42nd Quebec general election is tentatively scheduled for October 1, 2018 to elect members to the National Assembly of Quebec.
Under the province’s fixed election date law, passed in 2013, “the general election following the end of a Legislature shall be held on the first Monday of October of the fourth calendar year following the year that includes the last day of the previous Legislature”, setting the date for October 1, 2018. However, the chief electoral officer can change the election date in the event of a natural disaster. Furthermore, the Lieutenant Governor can call an election sooner should the premier request one, or in the event the government is dissolved by a motion of no confidence. Such a dissolution is unlikely as the current government has a majority.

City of Toronto Election 2018
2018-10-22 | Ontario
Election of the Mayor and 22 Ward seats.

US Midterm Elections
2018-11-06 | Ontario
All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate will be contested. Thirty-nine (39) state and territorial governorships and numerous other state and local elections will also be contested.

Alberta General Election
2019-04-16 | Ontario
The 2019 general election in Alberta, Canada will elect members to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. It will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
The Advance Poll Days are:
Tuesday, April 9
Wednesday, April 10
Thursday, April 11
Friday, April 12
Saturday, April 13
For more information, visit Elections Alberta website: https://www.elections.ab.ca/current-election-information/

Responsible Approaches to the News
2019-05-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Access to and understanding of the truth is critical for any just society. Our panel, including representatives of the Catholic and Secular press, will examine the proper role of news in a democratic society, and offer practical advice for proper approaches to and consumption of news.

This event is free and open to everyone.
No tickets are required. We do encourage everyone to show interest or select going on our Facebook event (https://www.facebook.com/events/13301a20040471951/) page to assist us in seating arrangement planning.

Effective Participation in Political Parties
2019-05-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Catholic Conscience and the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto are presenting a panel discussion on effective participation in politics and political parties.
Join us as members of each of the major political parties will help us understand the proper roles and purposes of political parties.
Political parties and civic engagement matter. The visions for society that parties support have an enormous effect on nations, particularly when they take up the reins of power. How do we, as citizens, engage with parties, and help shape those visions? How can engaged citizens make a difference in the political process?
Our panel will be discussing these issues and more on May 30th. Practical (and non-partisan) advice for effective membership will be discussed.
Panelists include:

Jo-Ann Davis, former TCDSB chair and 2018 Liberal MPP Candidate for University-Rosedale
Brendan Steven, former speechwriter for Conservative Finance Minister Joe Oliver
Dave Szollosy, former president OECTA, and 2018 NDP MPP candidate for York Simcoe
Nick Wright, member of the Governing Board of the Law Society of Ontario and 2014, 2015 Green Party candidate

This is one part of a multi-part series by Catholic Conscience and the Newman Centre on Catholic civic participation, in the lead-up to this year’s federal election.
This event is free and open to everyone. No tickets are required.
RSVP/Registration to our event via Eventbrite will help us in planning.

Debate: Canada's Federal Election from a Catholic Perspective (Archdiocese of Toronto)
2019-10-03 07:30 - 21:00 | Ontario
We are excited to share that the Archdiocese of Toronto will be hosting a federal election debate on October 3rd, so that Canada’s Catholic community can hear directly from the political parties about issues of deep concern to Catholics.
This is a great opportunity for the Catholic community to make our voices heard in politics. We are so excited to be there! We are proud to have played a small role in this idea and look forward to the world seeing how engaged and diverse our community is.
We hope to see you on October 3rd! Tickets (which are free) will be available starting September 3rd. And stay tuned for details about our Catholic Action election program, which we will be running over the course of the federal election—supporting Catholics as they fulfill their duty to vote and engage in political action.

2019 FEDERAL ELECTION: Why Vote?
2019-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Gregory’s Parish Hall, 122 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke, ON, M9B 2K6, Canada
2019 FEDERAL ELECTION: WHY VOTE? How to discern your vote thoughtfully
Presented in partnership with St. Gregory’s Catholic Women’s League
A panel discussion on good citizenship featuring:

Matthew Marquardt, President, Catholic Conscience
Luke Stocking, Deputy Director for Public Engagement, Development & Peace
Jo-Ann Davis, former Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board

RSVP today! Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Federal Leaders' Debate (English)
2019-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | The Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, QC, Canada
Watch the CBC’s livestream on Catholic Conscience at CatholicConscience.org/live

Downtown Candidates Meet & Greet
2019-10-10 07:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Come meet the candidates for the upcoming 2019 Federal Election.
As a follow-up to the Archdiocesan all-parties’ debate on October 3, candidates from the three major downtown ridings of Fort-York – Spadina, University – Rosedale, and Toronto Centre have been invited to meet and speak with voters from a number of parishes in each of their ridings.
Short introductions will be followed by a Q&A mingle.

Federal Leaders' Debate 2019 (French)
2019-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | The Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, QC, Canada
More information at https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/debates2019

Canadian Federal Election 2019
2019-10-21 | Ontario
The 43rd Canadian federal election is scheduled to take place on or before October 21, 2019. The October 21 date of the vote is determined by the fixed-date procedures in the Canada Elections Act[1] but the Act does not preclude the Governor General of Canada from issuing the writs of election at an earlier date.

FORMATION FOR CATHOLIC ACTION
2020-02-12 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Join us on February 12 at St Peter’s Church in downtown Toronto for an introduction to the social justice teachings of the Church, lead by Catholic Conscience’s Matt Marquardt. This event will be the lead-off in a four-part series hosted by St Peter’s, leading to formation with an emphasis on care for the poor and lonely among us.

British Columbia Provincial Election
2020-10-24 | Ontario
British Columbia goes to the polls on October 24, 2020. Here’s what Catholics ought to know.

Saskatchewan Provincial Election
2020-10-26 | Ontario
Saskatchewan goes to the polls on October 26. Here’s what Catholics ought to know.

Federal By-elections 2020
2020-10-26 | Ontario
Federal by-elections for:

Toronto Centre (Ontario)
York Centre (Ontario)

Webinar: Pick Your Politican
2021-01-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Learn about the enormous political impact you can have when you buy a party membership and vote in your local candidate nomination process.
WHY CATHOLICS SHOULD VOTE IN PARTY NOMINATIONS
Only 4% of Canadians are members of political parties. That’s only four out of every 100 of us. That tiny number enjoy a special privilege: voting in political party nominations and selecting who will represent their party in each general election. Many of these nominated candidates eventually become our elected representatives. It matters who represents us. That’s why it’s so important Catholics purchase party memberships and vote in nominations.
Hear from former and current Catholic candidates from different parties about why nominations matter, and how you can get involved and pick your politicians.
Featuring a special introduction from Neil MacCarthy, Director of Public Relations & Communications at the Archdiocese of Toronto.
RSVP AT:
https://nominationsmatter.eventbrite.ca
Free tickets are limited. RSVP for the link and login details.

Webinar: Voting Like A Catholic
2021-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
“If you vote for a certain political party, you’ll go to hell.”
“I can’t vote because there’s no truly Catholic option.”
These are just two common myths about voting as a Catholic. What does the Church teach us about our responsibility to vote? And how do we discern our consciences and choose who to vote for? In this webinar, we interview Catholic author and theologian Dr. Brett Salkeld on how to truly vote like a Catholic.
Meet our guest: Brett Salkeld is Archdiocesan Theologian for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, where he is responsible for deacon formation. Brett is the author of Can Catholics and Evangelicals Agree about Purgatory and the Last Judgment? and How Far Can We Go? A Catholic Guide to Sex and Dating (with Leah Perrault). He is currently working on a book for Catholic teachers tentatively titled Making Every Class Catholic.
Brett is a sought-after speaker on many topics related to the Catholic faith. He also serves the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Roman Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue in Canada. His weekly podcast with Deacon Eric Gurash is called Thinking Faith! Brett has a large back catalogue of blog posts at both Vox Nova and sAsk-a-theologian.
Brett was baptized in St. Wenceslaus Parish in Gerald, Saskatchewan, where he grew up. He now lives with his wife Flannery and their six children in Regina.
RSVP AT:
https://votinglikeacatholic.eventbrite.ca
Free tickets are limited. RSVP for the link and login details.

Reading Our Way to God - A Free Catholic Conscience Online Formation Event
2021-03-11 19:30 | Ontario
READING OUR WAY TO GOD: A webinar featuring Word on Fire’s Dr. Tod Worner.
St. Jerome wrote, “When we pray, we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.” Join us on Thursday, March 11 (7:30-8:30 PM EST) as we interview Dr. Tod Worner (Managing Editor of Evangelization & Culture, the Journal of the Word on Fire Institute) about the power of great literature for forming us into better Catholics, better servants of Christ—and more impactful Christian citizens. Whether you’re an avid reader or want to become one, you’ll leave our conversation feeling inspired to pursue reading as more than a hobby—you’ll learn how reading can be a prayer, and a method of spiritual formation. RSVP today for webinar login details!
MEET OUR GUEST, DR. TOD WORNER
Tod Worner is a practicing internal medicine physician who lectures and offers rotations on medicine and literature for the University of Minnesota Medical School & and teaches “The Art of Healing “ at St. John’s University. He is the Managing Editor of Evangelization & Culture, the Journal of the Word on Fire Institute. He has written for the New York Post, National Review, Word on Fire, and numerous other publications. Mostly, Tod is a proud husband & father delighted to be constantly outsmarted by his two young daughters.
REGISTER
To RSVP, click here: http://www.readingtogod.eventbrite.ca/

Resisting Throwaway Culture
2021-04-21 19:30 - 20:30 | Ontario
A conversation about how Catholics can transcend the left-right political divide and build a political culture of encounter and hospitality
Ours is a “throwaway culture”, in the words of Pope Francis—one in which the vulnerable are too-often discarded like trash. It doesn’t have to be this way. In his book Resisting Throwaway Culture, Fordham University professor Charles Camosy calls us to transcend the left-right political divide in favour of a Catholic culture of hospitality and encounter where “no one is useless, no one is expendable… [and includes] those on the peripheries of life.” Join us for a free webinar with Professor Camosy about how a Consistent Life Ethic can unite us and build this political culture, one rooted in love and human dignity.

Catholic Leaders' Mission: free two-day formation session for civic leadership candidates
2021-05-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Two Saturday sessions, May 29 and June 5, 2021.
Pope Francis has said that “Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good.” It’s a critically important vocation, yet in Canada, we’ve lacked formation for Catholics discerning it.
We’re excited to announce Canada’s first formation program for Catholic political candidates and elected politicians: the 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. Any Catholic seeking election to any political office or considering a run for office in the next two years can apply to join. Over the course of a two-day virtual workshop, you’ll learn from Catholic leaders across our community. You’ll receive spiritual and moral formation, methods of discernment, and practical skills needed in seeking and properly holding elected office. In the end, you’ll be equipped as a Catholic servant-leader for your constituents and fellow Canadians. Learn more on our website, including how to apply, by clicking here: https://catholicconscience.org/catholicleadersmission/

Nova Scotia General Election
2021-08-17 | Ontario
This year’s election offers voters an opportunity to ensure that Nova Scotia is guided by leaders who will provide practical and efficient leadership with the good of all in mind – including the unborn, the elderly, the young, families, and those who are too often forgotten by society – as well as workers, farmers, business owners, and all future generations. Catholics are called to full participation.
