News & Events
Read the latest edition of our newsletter Spero. In this issue read about our work addressing environmental poverty, the 2026 Dr. John Rook Leadership Award, and reflections on Reconciliation and poverty reduction work. Also find out about upcoming events and our latest publications.
The Fall 2026 edition of Spero is available here.
In recognition of her lifetime of service dedicated to ending poverty, the Canadian Poverty Institute is pleased to announce that Harriett Selina McLachlan MSW has been named the 2026 recipient of the Dr. John Rook Leadership Award for Poverty Reduction.
Harriett McLachlan is a nationally respected anti‑poverty advocate whose leadership is grounded in lived experience, human rights, and a deep commitment to social justice. As the former President of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director of Canada Without Poverty and a long‑time community leader, McLachlan has played a pivotal role in shifting Canada’s poverty discourse toward dignity‑centered, rights‑based approaches that elevate the voices of those most affected by economic marginalization.
For more information visit JRLA2026.
The Canadian Poverty Institute is excited to launch our 2026 Reading for Change campaign. On October 17th. we invite you to read and share a book or article of your choice about poverty. To support your reading, find 5 or more people who will sponsor you to read with a small donation to the Canadian Poverty Institute. After reading, share your insights with your sponsors and with the world. To find out more and become a Reader for Change visit: Reading4Change.
The Summer edition of our newsletter Spero has just been released. Read commentary on the lure of personal and political independence, a report on the 2026 kNOw Poverty Summer Institute, and a snapshot of poverty in Canada from the latest Statistics Canada data. The Summer edition of Spero is available here.
The Radiance Family Society, in collaboration with the Canadian Poverty Institute at Ambrose University, is leading a research project “THRIVE - Supporting Healing and Accountability in Faith Communities.” The research focusses on the causes of family violence within the Christian faith community, with an aim to prevent and/or interrupt family violence.
The Canadian Poverty Institute and Radiance Family Society are inviting to people to participate in this research as a survey participant. The survey will ask people to share their views or experiences on the causes of family violence, the role of biblical teachings in family violence, how community support can be harnessed to break the silence around family violence and stop family violence within the church.
Your role in this project:
You are invited to take part in roughly 30-minute online survey. The researchers will not link your responses to you individually. You do not need to prepare any notes before answering the survey.
Participant eligibility:
To participate in this study, you must be:
18 years or older;
Living in the Greater Calgary area; and
Practicing in a faith community in these communities.
To participate in this study, please click on https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/r/thrive and follow the prompts to proceed.
Optional, at the end of the survey, you may provide your email address to receive a $25 gift card from the research team.
If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please contact Rita Yembilah at Rita.Yembilah@ambrose.edu or Derek Cook at Derek.Cook@ambrose.edu.
The Canadian Poverty Institute is currently hiring for a limited term summer Research Assistant to support the ongoing development of the Canadian Poverty Hub.
Responsibilities include:
· Conduct an ongoing scan of literature and resources to include on the Poverty Hub;
· Summarize and post resources to the Poverty Hub; and,
· Promote the Poverty Hub, connect with potential contributors and coordinate regular calls for submission.
Terms and Conditions
· 35 hours per week for 8 weeks. Rate: $18.00 / hr.
· Hybrid or remote work possible.
Apply
To apply, send a Cover Letter and Resume to povertyinstitute@ambrose.edu. Application deadline May 3.
Click for Complete Job Description.
The Canadian Poverty Institute is pleased to announce the release of the Spring 2026 edition of our newsletter Spero. Included in this edition:
Addressing Family Violence in Faith Communities
Dr. Cindy Blackstock Receives the 2025 John Rook Leadership Award for Poverty Reduction
Re-imagining Insurance Symposium
kNOw Poverty: The 2026 Poverty Studies Summer Institute
As the new year unfolds, it seems our world is snared in a cycle of violence. We are confronted daily with stories and images of violence, from newsfeeds of global conflicts to local incidents of violent crime, to violence within the home. If we are to imagine a way out of this web of conflict, it is important to think critically about the roots of such violence and what makes for peace.
Read our reflection on the connections between violence, poverty and peace here.
The Canadian Poverty Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Dr. John Rook Leadership Award. This award is presented annually to an outstanding Canadian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in working to end poverty and embodies the principles of the Canadian Poverty Institute. The award is named in honour of Dr. John Rook, founder of the Canadian Poverty Institute.
If you know of an outstanding Canadian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in working to end poverty and embodies the principles of the Canadian Poverty Institute, please consider nominating them for this year’s award. Nominations can be submitted at https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s/JRLA2026
The deadline for nominations is May 31st.
More information about the award is available here.
Social science research has found that progress could be made to alleviate serious, complex social problems if stakeholders came together around a common agenda to create what has been called Collective Impact. This involves bringing together a group of like-minded people to identify a common agenda; developing shared measurement systems and mutually reinforcing activities; and maintaining continuous communication; all supported by a backbone. This report considers the example of the Justice Sector Constellation, a Collective Impact initiative whose mission was to intervene at the intersection of poverty and the legal system. Over its eleven-year history, the Constellation advanced its strategic aims of improving access to and coordination of justice sector services; education and engagement in the intersection of poverty and the law; and systemic change within the justice sector. With its longevity and accomplishments, the Constellation’s history offers important lessons regarding each of the key elements of Collective Impact. Read the full report by Janice Pasay here.
