RELIGIOUS SOCIAL ACTION COALITION NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
TOGETHER WE CAN END POVERTY
WELCOME
The Religious Social Action Coalition is a gathering of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others who seek to eliminate poverty in our province and country.
Our focus: A Guaranteed Livable Income to ensure a ‘livable’ income for all in need, in order to raise a vast majority of people above the poverty line.
Diwali 2025 at the Hindu Temple, St. John’s, NL
(Photo: Jai Ganesh, President, Hindu Temple; Marion Pardy, Chair, RSAC; Veeresh Gadag, Hindu Temple; Rami Wadhwa, Sikh Association, NL)
Our Sikh friends and neighbours celebrate Diwali also . With joyous celebration, we gathered on October 25, 2025, surrounded by lights (Diwali – from Sanskrit “Deepavali”, meaning a ‘row of lights’), colour, story-telling, dance, music, and food. For the Hindu Temple it was a sharing of their sacred stories; for all of us, a time of learning and celebrating the values we hold in common: the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali includes reaching out to the community with generosity and this year’s financial recipients were the Canadian Association of Mental Health and The Gathering Place. In the words of Hindu Temple President, Jai Ganesh: “Diwali reminds us that no matter where we are, the spirit of faith, gratitude, and love will always find a way to shine.” I felt honoured to be present and to bring greetings from our Religious Social Action Coalition (RSAC).
Marion Pardy, Chair, RSAC
structure
The Religious Social Action Coalition is comprised of eleven directors. There are representatives from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh religious communities.
the many facets of poverty
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Poverty is general scarcity or dearth, or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money.
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It is a multifaceted concept, which includes social,economic political elements.
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Poverty seems to be chronic or temporary,and most of the time it is closely related to inequality.
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As a dynamic concept,poverty is changing and adapting according to consumption patterns,social dynamics and technological change.
KNOWLEDGE
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The Big Reset” Stakeholders’ Session of Engage NL, July 29, 2021
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The Fairness Prism: Evaluating the Impact of Policy Decisions on Social Inequality
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Letter-Writing Made Easy - a kit to support the concept of a Guaranteed Livable Income in Canada
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Questions and Answers Concerning a Guaranteed Livable Income
PRESS
DIRECTORS
Marion Pardy - Chair
The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy
37th Moderator – The United Church of Canada (2000-2003)
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Dr. Steven Wolinetz - Vice-Chair
Jewish Community Havura
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Dr. Veresh Gadag - Treasurer
Hindu Temple Association, St. John's
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Muhhamed Nazir - Secretary
Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Rev. Paul Lundrigan
Roman Catholic Priest, Archdiocese of St. John’s
Director
Rami Wadhwa
Newfoundland and Labrador Sikh Society
Director
Haseen Khan
President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Director
Major Rhonda Smith
Director of Spiritual Care, Salvation Army
St. John’s Housing and Community Services.
Director
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The Venerable Amanda Taylor
Anglican Diocese of Newfoundland and Labrador; Rector, St. Mark’s Anglican Church
Director
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​Sister Betty Morrissey, R.S.M.
Sisters of Mercy
Director
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Jai Anand Raghunathan (Jai Ganesh)
Chair, Hindu Temple
Director
Articles you will want to read re guaranteed livable basic income –
