Advocacy
Updated March, 2024

St. Aidan’s communicates directly with politicians and corporations on matters of public policy where our values and our understanding of Christ’s instructions compel us to take action. Since 2016 we have taken part in meetings with politicians either as part of a larger collective or on our own in the following areas:

  • Advocacy for the removal of red-tape blocking the travel of the first Syrian refugees. Members of The Beach Cares met with the Federal MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to urge him to speak to the Minister of Immigration, to speed up the process. We pointed out that TBC had met all government requirements, met all the financial and organization stipulations and were left waiting for the government to act. In May, 20223, with significant help from the MP's office, we were able to bring a Ukrainian-Syrian couple to Canada

  • In response to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report of October 2018 (https://www.ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments/) Members of St. Aidan’s joined the Toronto Climate Action Committee (TCAN) in meeting with our MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, on the day after the report was released to demand government action, not just words, in response.
  • St. Aidan's was active in opposing development of the Greenbelt, specifically the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve, the largest section of the Greenbelt ceded to developers. We base our advocacy on the baptismal covenant to "respect, sustain, and renew the life of the earth."
  • St. Aidan's has joined with Quakers, Mennonites, United Church, Roman Catholic, Jews and Mislims in opposing the financing of fossil fuel developments, notably the Tar Sands and Arctic, by Canadian banks through demonstrations at the banks.
  • Members of St. Aidan's attended a peace rally in front of the Israeli consulate, in Toronto, in response to the war against Hamas and the extensive harm done to Palastinian civilians, notably children. We do not take "sides" but advocate for peace.
  • Growing out of our Out of the Cold commitment, St. Aidan’s has engaged our local City Councillor (Ward 19, Beaches-East York) first on issues arising from clearing the encampments….where St. Aidan’s along with other volunteers provided food on Saturday evenings. Most recently, Councillor Bradford had spearheaded the construction of Supportive Housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness, in the north end of Ward 19. which ensures that there is 24-hour support for the residents in dealing with health and social issues. St. Aidan’s has supported the initiative by having a member of the church community sit on the community Consultation Committee and writing an article for Beach Metro News in support of the project.
  • Since the Provincial election of 2018, St. Aidan’s has partnered with Beach United, then other churches to host candidates’ meetings at which we inform the candidates of both our perspective as faith communities on issues such as the environment, health and inequality. After two Federal elections we are looking forward to co-sponsoring both a provincial election candidates’ meeting before the June, 2022 election and the municipal election in the Fall of this year. We have also had our MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon and Toronto city Councillor Brad Bradford meet with the congregation to take questions.