A Year of Commitment to Justice
2021, another year under pandemic restrictions, has featured highs and lows for the Board of Directors and staff of Citizens for Public justice.
A high note was the Seeking Justice Together Conference in May. The virtual conference featured presentations and dialogue across Canada and as far north as Old Crow, Yukon. Over 300 people attended. The Board acknowledges the talent, imagination, and resilience of the CPJ staff led by Willard Metzger as the Executive Director.
The death on April 15 of Stephen Kaduuli, treasured Refugee Rights Policy Analyst, due to COVID19, was deeply sad for staff and Board alike. Our blessing was the online memorial service led by Willard. Willard’s presence and words were condolence to Stephen’s family in Toronto, England and Uganda.
A skilled staff member, Brad Wassink resigned from the position of Communications Coordinator in May. Deb Mebude, former intern and staff member, ably stepped in until August. We have been blessed to have Maryo Wahba join the staff in the position in November.
In 2021 CPJ returned to offering an intern position. Ruva Gwekwerere is working with Natalie Appleyard on poverty policy.
We thank the following retiring Board members: Adrienne Castellon, of Lower Mainland, BC, was on the Equity and Anti-Oppression Committee and Nominating Committee. Martha Wiebe of Ottawa, was on the Board for 6 years, serving ably on the executive as secretary, and was on the Personnel and Nominating committees. Nick Van Dyk, of Ottawa, was also on the executive as treasurer and brought governance and institutional knowledge of CPJ to the Finance Committee.
We welcomed four new members to the Board in June. Keira Kang, Toronto, is pursuing a Master’s of Information Degree at the University of Toronto. Tenielle Patterson, Thunder Bay, is a Medical Transportation Benefits analyst with the Non-insured Health Benefits Program under Indigenous Services Canada. Monica Tang, Vancouver, works at the Canadian Coast Guard in Vancouver as a negotiator and senior advisor. Ian Van Haren, Montreal, is pursuing Ph.D. studies in Sociology, with a focus on refugee and immigration policy.
I am grateful to the members of the Board of Directors who faithfully attend the many Board and committee meetings. This year the Board engaged in honest and amicable conversations. We have embraced the commitment to equity and anti-oppression in CPJ’s work to end poverty and promote climate justice and refugee rights, enhancing our mission to reflect God’s call for love, justice, and the flourishing of creation.
Thank you to the generous supporters, donors, and members of Citizens for Public Justice. We abound with blessings!
—Cherilyn Spraakman (Chair of the Board)