By Romina Acosta Bimbrera, Communications and Public Relations Advisor
On April 28, 2026, an event was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to mark the conclusion of the global Jubilee campaign Turn Debt into Hope. Bearing piggy-bank piñatas and a scale symbolizing the burden of debt on countries of the Global South, over 85 people from across Canada rallied to show their commitment and to call on the government to use its position as a global leader to act on unjust debt.
The global campaign was led by Caritas Internationalis in 2025 to mark the Jubilee Year around the world. In Canada, it was carried out by a coalition of ecumenical and social justice organizations, including Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC), KAIROS Canada, Citizens for Public Justice, the Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology and the Canadian Council of Churches.
More than 233,000 people around the world signed a petition calling for debt cancellation; reform of the global financial system to prevent future debt crises; and the establishment of a binding United Nations framework on debt.
The more than 72,000 signatures collected in Canada were delivered to the Hon. Robert Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs. He said, “Canada has led the way for almost 70 years in debt forgiveness. We don’t forgive all debt because the reality is we want a combination of grants and loans. This helps countries establish sustainable credit ratings. It establishes them as full partners in our global world. But debt can be crippling, can be unsustainable. So, I am pleased to receive this petition.”
Among those present were 38 students from Grades 9 to 12, from various schools in the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Through a participatory performance and a skit that portrayed the burden of debt, they encouraged people to act within their communities.
The Hon. Judy Sgro, MP for Humber River—Black Creek, was also present and was moved by the young people’s commitment. She said, “You give me hope by showing that the next generation cares about these issues and is ready to act to advance these initiatives. We are counting on you to work with us to build a better world.”
She was right to feel hopeful because the students had truly worked hard. As part of their preparation for the event, they collected more than 1,000 signatures. Shortly afterward, some of them met with other MPs to raise awareness about debt issues.
DPCC’s executive director Carl Hétu said that to Turn Debt into Hope “means to place human dignity at the center of our priorities. This is not a choice, but a fundamental right to uphold collectively and resolutely. This right is trampled upon by the burdens of unjust debt that imprison and suffocate billions of people who can barely access health care, education and decent jobs. In this toxic, unjust context, taking action becomes an unavoidable responsibility for the well-being of everyone.”
Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington, an ecotheologian and pastor of the United Church of Canada, said, “There will never be climate justice without debt justice. We are all a part of this debt crisis in different ways…. Now this places a moral obligation on every single one of us here and in Canada to do everything we can to call our leaders to account to encourage them in their leadership on the issue of debt justice and climate justice.”
DPCC would like to thank its members, partners and the Canadian public for their strong engagement in making our campaign and its culminating event a success.