2022 Annual Report

Celebrating 60 Years of Public Justice

2022 Annual Report
Read CPJ’s 2022 Annual Report (PDF)

As the effects of the pandemic lingered in 2022, Citizens for Public Justice continued to be a “hope-filled presence in Canadian public affairs” (CPJ website). The leadership of Willard Metzger and the work of the talented staff have championed this small but influential organization.

At the 2022 AGM, CPJ made public the “Equity and Anti-Oppression Statement”. This was presented first for eastern Canadians and later in the evening for westerners. The Board of Directors and the staff met many times over two years in consideration and contemplation of the statement, which provides clarity and consistency for members and collaborating organizations.

2022 was a year of adjustments and change. In April, long-time staff member David Pollock, Coordinator of Finance and Administration, retired. The staff and Board sent him off with a virtual party of poems and roasting. At the end of August, another valued staff member, Karri Munn-Venn, Senior Policy Analyst, resigned to spend full days farming on her beautiful west Quebec farm Leystone.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to replace either of them. Maryo Wahba is doing double duty as Communications Coordinator and Climate Analyst, planning the climate justice campaign “Give it up for the Earth!”

Thanks to Ruva Gwekwerere, who finished her internship in 2022. We welcomed Rena Namago as the 2022/23 Public Justice Intern, starting in September. Rena has recently become a new Mom.

The Board met in person in Ottawa in September for the first time in three years. This was a hybrid meeting where many fulsome deliberations took place. The Board approved the new Strategic Plan, renewing commitment to refugee and migrant rights, climate justice and eradicating poverty.

In the 2022 Annual Report, I thanked Board members Martha Wiebe, Nick van Dyck and Adrienne Castellon for their time on the Board. Each finished their terms in May 2022.

In 2021 Board members Harold Roscher, Rene Adams, and Trixie Ling finished their terms. Rene and Trixie served on the Program Advisory Committee. Harold was a Vice-Chair and also served on the Program Advisory Committee.

In 2022 Charles Kooger asked to step away from his term. Charles served on the Program Advisory Committee. We appreciated Charles’ perspective, as a retired Christian Reformed Church clergy.

New to the Board last year were Cathy Rogers, Wanda Walters, and Vincent Yagayandi. Cathy is a former university professor and New Brunswick Cabinet Minister. She currently works for the New Brunswick Nurses Union. Wanda worked as a Parish Worker at Christ Lutheran Church Regina and at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She is currently a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon. Vincent completed his law degree at McGill University and will be working at Bennett Jones, Vancouver, as an articling student.

As can be seen in this financial report, CPJ finished 2022 with a significant deficit. We are planning for improved revenue in 2023, with celebrations for the 60th anniversary of CPJ. From 1 Thessalonians 5, we receive reassurance – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We remain very grateful to our generous donors and members.

—Cherilyn Spraakman (Chair of the Board)

Annual Report Archives