Centre for Public Ethics

In short, the centre’s mission is to help us reclaim the art of political service — of bringing our deepest values and highest convictions to the practice of politics. To fulfil its mission, the centre organizes and participates in events that promote dialogue, research and education on ethical public service.

The mandate of the centre, which began in 1986 as the Institute for Christian Ethics, has evolved to explore secular as well as faith-based ethics.

• John Milloy, director and assistant professor of public ethics. While serving a member of provicical parliament for Kitchener Centre riding, John Milloy also served as minister in five cabinet positions.
• David Pfrimmer, fellow and professor emeritus. David Pfrimmer, professor emeritus at Martin Luther University College, is former director of the centre and served as Luther's principal-dean from 2005-2015.

Welcome to The Moment podcast where we promote dialogue, research and education on the choices we make together in support of the public good.

While ethics is about the life choices we make, public ethics is about the life choices we make to serve the common good — whether to serve our neighbours across the street or around the world.

• In the fourth episode of The Moment's Beyond Culture Wars series, we're speaking with Cedric Martin, artistic director of Theatre of the Beat. 

• In the third episode of The Moment's Beyond Culture Wars series, we're speaking with Héctor Acero Ferrer, Interim Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Arts: Christianity, Interfaith Dialogue and Community Engagement and Ron Kuipers, Director for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics. 

• In the second episode of The Moment's Beyond Culture Wars series, we're speaking with Natalie Appleyard, Socio-economic Policy Analyst at Citizens for Public Justice. 

• Beyond Culture Wars, a special series of The Moment, is a lead-up to our 2024 conference, where we will explore religion's role in countering our current culture war mentality. In the first episode, we're speaking with Neal DeRoo, Professor of Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies. 

• The sixth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Fanis Juma: founder and lead practitioner with the African Community Wellness Initiative; racial justice educator; founder of Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region; and adjunct faculty at Martin Luther University college.
• The fifth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Nina Karachi-Khaled, president of the National Board of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.
  
• The fourth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Sean Speer, former senior policy advisor to former prime minister Stephen Harpe
  
• The third episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Akaash Maharaj, past CEO of the Mosaic Institute and past CEO of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.
  
• The second episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Jonathan Malloy of Carleton University.
  
• The first episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Kathleen Wynne, former premier of Ontario.
  
• Communication Technology in a COVID and Post-COVID World with Sherry Coman, associate professional faculty at Martin Luther University College, and deacon in the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
• Ethical Framework for a Post-COVID Recovery, with Joe Gunn of the Centre Oblat — A Voice for Justice Office at St. Paul University, Ottawa; and Sue Wilson of the Office for Systemic Justice, Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, London, Ontario.