This year's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, June 1st at 6 pm ET at Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, ON. The AGM will be followed by a special 60th-anniversary celebration, with both events available in-person and online for your convenience.
Below is all the information you need as a CPJ member to participate in our 2023 AGM. Voting for these governance questions is an opportunity for you, as a member, to participate in decision-making. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to direct the affairs of your organization.
At the bottom of this page, you will find a link to fill in an online ballot to submit your votes, get details on how to join CPJ’s AGM, and update your contact information with CPJ. Online ballots will only be valid if they are submitted by May 31.
If you have any questions, please contact Michael Krakowiak by calling 1-800-667-8046 x230 or emailing michael@cpj.ca.
CPJ’s 2022 Annual Report/2023 Budget
The proposed 2023 budget, complete with comparative figures for 2022 and the Treasurer’s report, is on the back page of CPJ’s 2022 Annual Report (PDF.)
CPJ has experienced a significant impact due to the global pandemic and the subsequent fear of recession. As indicated in the financial report, CPJ concluded the fiscal year with a substantial deficit. To address the disappointing year-end results, operating reserves were utilized. Nevertheless, as we approach our 60th-anniversary celebration in 2023, CPJ anticipates a financial resurgence. Eager to restore our team to pre-pandemic levels, we plan to rehire staff as in-person events recommence. To make this possible, we rely on the ongoing, generous support of our members. CPJ remains committed to strategically investing in our campaigns and resources, maximizing the impact of every donation.
CPJ’s growing annual national campaigns continue to gather momentum for progressive public policy solutions to tackle the climate crisis, immigration, and poverty in Canada. This year, we are reaching out to new and diverse communities nationwide, encouraging their participation in the quest for public justice. CPJ is dedicated to listening, learning, and evolving. During this year’s 60th anniversary celebrations, we will reflect on past accomplishments and partnerships while examining future opportunities and intergenerational advocacy. As we commemorate this historic milestone, your ongoing support allows us to confidently anticipate the far-reaching effects our advocacy will have on Canada’s public policies for the next sixty years.
Board Member Completing Term
Charles Kooger (Saskatchewan / Manitoba / Nunavut) has completed his term.
New Board Nominee
Click on the name below to show information on the nominee.
SASKATCHEWAN / MANITOBA / NUNAVUT
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- What in your view is the value, purpose or role of CPJ?
In our mostly secular society today where too many people are exploited, excluded and oppressed, it is important for people of faith, especially Christians, to embody God’s love and call for justice for God’s good creation and humanity who bears the divine image. In participating in God’s work of justice and restoring right relationship at the individual, institutional, governmental and societal level, CPJ embraces God’s created diversity as evidenced by the diversity of its staff and board members in such areas as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and lived experience. Furthermore, CPJ strives to live out God’s call to love neighbour as self (neighbour includes all of creation) in a non-colonial manner by coming along side individuals and organizations who have lived experience of injustice to work together in making this world a better place for all. - How can you contribute to CPJ as a Board Member?
I taught adults in the Literacy and Adult Education Department at Saskatchewan Polytechnic for close to 13 years. My teaching portfolio included employment and life skills, as well as secondary level math and science classes. The students I worked with were Indigenous and other people of color, white, as well some students were immigrants or refugees.
In my home congregation and the congregation I interned at, I worked to implement the TRC’s 59th Call to Action to educate congregations on the role the church played in colonization and the history and legacy of residential schools.
As the parish worker at my church I helped settle a refugee family in Regina.
I am involved in advocacy work in addressing houselessness in the city of Regina.
I am passionate about participating in God’s redemptive work in the world in the area of social justice. - Give a brief biography of yourself.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology as well as a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina. I also obtained a certificate in Adult Education from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. In May, 2023 I convocated with a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon. I am currently waiting for a call from a congregation to serve as their pastor.
- What in your view is the value, purpose or role of CPJ?
Board Renominees
Two current Board members, Marlene Bergsma (South-Western Ontario) and Michael DeMoor (Northern Alberta / Northwest Territiories), have completed one term and have agreed to allow their names to stand for a second term.
The CPJ board would like to ask the membership to confirm the election of the four members who seek to serve. Information on the renominees is below (click on names to show.)
SOUTH-WESTERN ONTARIO
Marlene brings communications and fundraising experience to the board. She has a BA in English and business from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Communications Management from McMaster University. Marlene has worked as a journalist at a daily newspaper and is currently the director of communications and advancement at a local Christian High School, and a freelance writer for the Niagara Community Foundation.
Marlene is passionate about building community and about telling good stories. She hikes, paddles, reads, writes and knits in her spare time.
NORTHERN ALBERTA / NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Michael teaches politics and is the Dean of Social Study at the Kings University. Michael brings a thorough understanding of Canadian government and public life, and in particular approaches to policymaking. He has both practical and theoretical knowledge of how this sector operates and the role it plays in public opinion-formation and decision-making. As an educator, Michael seeks to help people properly “frame” issues, particularly with respect to the place of Indigenous legal and political traditions in relation to the Canadian state and Canadian society.
Besides spending time with his wife and three kids, Michael enjoys birding and exploring the Beaver Hills ecoregion around Edmonton.
Current Board Members
Below is a list of members who continue to serve on the CPJ Board (click on names to show.)
ONTARIO-AT-LARGE
Cherilyn was born and raised on the farm in Olds, Alberta and has lived in Newmarket, Ontario with her husband and family for 27 years. She has three children and 4 grandchildren. Six years ago she retired from a long career in physiotherapy and has now embraced social justice causes. She is on the York Region Homelessness Community Advisory Board and is the secretary of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Region of KAIROS. Cherilyn is an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket. On the board of Citizens for Public Justice, she is on the Finance, Development and Nomination Committees.
CANADA-AT-LARGE
Paul Berry is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has been teaching accounting and finance at the university level for over 35 years. He resided in Sackville, NB from 1982 to 1985 and from 1990 onward. He is a level 5 swimming official; officiated at competitions at the national, provincial and local club levels, and has served as the chair of the provincial officials committee for about a decade. His Not-for-profit board experience includes acting as a member of the boards for the Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations (FNBFA), Swim New Brunswick (SNB/NNB), and the CPA Atlantic School of Business. He has been active in his local faith community in a number of roles, and consistently as a lay reader for over 40 years.
ONTARIO-AT-LARGE
Daniel Cho is a pastor and past moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Following his undergraduate and theological studies in the USA, Daniel completed seminary at Knox College and studied psychology and family therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University and Princeton Theological Seminary. Daniel also did postgraduate work at the intersection of constitutional law, religion and democracy at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, the University of London and Harvard University. Daniel has served on a community safety panel with the Toronto Police Sex Crimes Unit, and since 2002 been an advisor with the Correctional Service of Canada working closely with senior government officials on national policy, service provision and programming. He is a certified pastoral counsellor and certified mediator.
TORONTO
Keira joined CPJ’s Board to help spearhead transformative policy changes across Canada. She believes that CPJ’s mission is to respond to all socio-political, environmental, economic, cultural, and ethical challenges the most marginalized groups face. Kiera’s lived experiences as a Woman of Color (WOC) compelled her to fight for equity, diversity, and inclusion on behalf of those suffering from systemic and institutional barriers.
Keira is currently a Masters of Information student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a concentration in Critical Information Policy Studies. Her research project seeks to bridge the digital divide for socio-economically disenfranchised communities. As a previous CPJ Public Justice Intern in 2019, Keira was actively involved in advancing relations with First Nations communities and advocating for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). She hopes to continue supporting CPJ’s mission for a just, sustainable, and equitable Canada through her time as a Board member.
NORTH & EASTERN ONTARIO
Tenielle is a young, bright, and faithful Board member. She joined CPJ’s Board out of her belief in the importance of politically empowering marginalized communities, especially those belonging to racialized groups who often end up paying the price for government service failures and accessibility roadblocks. As a strategic thinker, Tenielle hopes to assist CPJ on its mission to highlight, deconstruct and advocate against the institutional barriers that hinder the progress of public justice in Canada.
Tenielle has completed a graduate degree focusing on the impact of structural adjustment programs on developing nations. Her academic and experiential skills enable her to constructively contribute to the personnel and policy committees on the Board. Her compassionate involvement with CPJ echoes the invitation in Micah 6, to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
EASTERN CANADA
Cathy has a PhD in Sociology and has worked over 18 years in federal and provincial government (in economic development, public safety, industry, and communications). Cathy has also has 14 years experience as a sociology professor at 2 universities, and is currently the Research and Education Officer with the NB Nurses Union.
SOUTHERN ALBERTA
Tiffany Talen has a Bachelor of Science degree with a public health concentration and a Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in International and Community Development. She has worked and volunteered within the public health field in low-income communities in the US, as well as in inner-city and village settings in Uganda. She has done research and community engagement, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction and environmental justice. She is an active member of Calgary’s Social Workers for Social Justice and is currently on maternity leave from her social work position at Enviros Wilderness School where she supports and advocates for caregivers of youth with FASD. Tiffany serves on CPJ’s Program Advisory Committee.
BRITISH COLUMBIA / YUKON TERRITORY
Monica’s presence on the Board has been an invaluable addition. As an advocate for environmental justice for over ten years, Monica hopes to leverage her expansive knowledge and experiences to help CPJ fight political apathy, intolerance, and nationalism in Canada. Her interest in creation care and its social and economic implications has led her to become a negotiator, representing Canada in working with Indigenous governments on fisheries, species conservation, environmental stewardship, and oceans management partnership agreements.
Monica’s practical knowledge of public policy development in the federal public sector will contribute to the growth and effectiveness of CPJ’s political advocacy. Monica joined the Board with prior experience in leading a grassroots, citizen-led, and faith-based community activism group. She also offers a deep understanding of Canada’s West Coast perspective on climate justice. Her diverse experiences bring international and cross-cultural perspectives to climate care ministry and human rights advocacy across denominational lines.
CANADA-AT-LARGE
Ian brings to the Board a wealth of knowledge regarding Canada’s immigration system, and considerable passion for CPJ’s goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ian expressed interest in supporting CPJ’s advocacy on electoral reform, Indigenous issues, and Reconciliation, especially in Montreal where he’s based. He believes that CPJ’s mission is to encourage citizens across Canada to care for one another and for future generations, irrespective of individual differences.
Ian is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at McGill University with a special focus on immigrant integration and refugee sponsorship. Having previously worked for the federal government as an immigration officer and diplomat in England, Lebanon, and South Africa, Ian’s experience in management, administration, education, and public policy will enable the Board to continue steering CPJ’s evolution in a just direction. In his 30s, Ian is also bilingual (English & French) and as a gay man, he can offer unique perspectives on the socio-economic issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community in Canada.
CANADA-AT-LARGE
As a former refugee, Vincent brings a unique voice and perspective to CPJ’s work on advocacy for refugee and migrant rights. While completing a combined JD and BCL at McGill University, Vincent has been involved in a variety of non-profit and humanitarian work in Canada and Malawi. This includes working in refugee sponsorship with World University Services Canada, empowering Black students with McGill African Student Society and Mastercard Foundation, working with UNHCR and Jesuit Refugee Services at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, and employment and work placements with the DESTA Black Youth Network and Open Doors Homeless Shelter in Montreal.
Auditor
CPJ’s Board of Directors proposes that CPJ’s members appoint the firm of Ouseley Harvey Clipsham Deep LLP as the CPJ auditor for 2023. (CPJ currently uses this firm.)
Membership
As part of your approval of and commitment to this year’s budget, please consider sending your 2023 membership fee at this time if you have not done so already this year. Any annual financial contribution entitles you to membership privileges.
Please also consider monthly pre-authorized deductions or credit card donations as a form of giving. This provides us with a steady and predictable income throughout the year. To submit your membership fee, go to cpj.ca/become-member. You can also do it when registering your vote through the online ballot.
CPJ’s AGM
This year’s AGM will be held on June 1 at 6 pm ET at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, ON. The AGM will be followed by a special 60th-anniversary celebration, with both events available in-person and online for your convenience.
- Click here to read the 2022 Annual Report
- Read the meeting minutes from the AGM 2022
- View the meeting agenda and register for the AGM and 60th-anniversary celebrations
Online Ballot
Click below to fill out our online ballot to vote, get details on how to join our AGM, and update your contact information with CPJ.
