The National Council of Development and Peace, the Organization’s highest decision-making body is composed of 21 elected volunteer National Members representing all regions of Canada and two members appointed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). Members are elected to the National Council for three-year terms by the members of their Regional Assemblies.

At this year’s semi-annual gathering, the National Council welcomed three new regional representatives: Richard Aubry from Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Michel Denis, of Sudbury, representing Northern Ontario, and Natasha Halpin, from Vancouver, British Columbia as well as the appointment by the CCCB of one new member, the Most Reverend Richard Grecco, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto.

Mr. Aubry, a retired college-level teacher, has been an active member of Development and Peace for many years. He is the Chair of the Rouyn-Noranda Diocesan Council since 2005 and prior to that was the Diocesan Council Treasurer from 2001-2005. He has a wide range of interests including information technology, education, community media and politics, and is very involved in his community as a volunteer. He was president of the Amis de l’Arche d’Haïti for eight years.

Mr. Denis, who works in the transport industry, was President of his parish council in Sudbury, Ontario for six years. A committed member of Development and Peace, he is known for his leadership qualities and his dedication to social justice issues. In fact, he originally joined Development and Peace as a result of Fall Action activities in Sudbury. He was also President of the francophone Diocesan Council in Sault Ste. Marie from 2004 to 2007.

Ms. Halpin teaches high school, and also coordinates youth ministry projects at St. Anthony’s parish in West Vancouver. She has chaperoned a number of youth groups on solidarity missions in the Global South, including an educational trip to Development and Peace partners in Bolivia in 2005. Currently pursuing her studies for a certificate in youth ministry studies, she also organized a parish event that raised $16,000 to complete a water project in Uganda, Africa.

One resignation from the National Council was accepted. Long-time Development and Peace volunteer, Tom Hardjowirogo (Alberta), who has accepted a new position overseas working in the Middle East and Asia, so reluctantly handed in his resignation. The Alberta regional assembly will be electing a new representative in the coming months.

National Council meetings are usually convened twice a year (or as often as deemed necessary). Between meetings, the Executive Committee possesses and exercises all the powers and rights of the National Council in the management of the affairs of the Organization. It is composed of five members elected annually for a period not exceeding three consecutive terms. Members need to serve on the National Council for at least one year prior to being elected to the Executive Committee.

The newly elected Executive Committee comprises President Hélène Trépanier (Gaspe-Rimouski-Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere), Vice-President Pat Hogan (Newfoundland-Labrador), Treasurer Yves Bourassa (Montreal), Secretary Sylvia Skrepichuk (Toronto), and Bishop Luc Cyr (Diocese of Valleyfield).

The other members of the National Council are: Eleanor Blackier (New Brunswick), Danielle Boulerice (Valleyfield), Linda Bowron (Southern Ontario), Ghislaine Clavet (New Brunswick), Michelle Dinter-Lipinski (Saskatchewan). Jules Dufour (Quebec), André Goussaert (Manitoba), Paul McGuire (Ottawa), Lise F. Meunier (St. Hyacinthe), Joe Rodgers (Nova Scotia), Bernadette Schmeisser (Prince-Edward-Island), and two youth representatives, Marilou Villeneuve (Quebec) and Julio Cesar Garcia (Alberta).