Harry Kits steps down as Executive Director effective June 2008

Ottawa: November 7, 2007: The Board of Directors of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) and Harry Kits, executive director, together announce that, after 20 years of service to the organization, Harry will be stepping down as executive director, effective June 6, 2008.

Board Chair, Janet Wesselius states, "Harry’s leadership has been instrumental in the recent effort to put Public Justice Front and Centre in Ottawa, and has been key to the long-term contributions that CPJ has made to public life in Canada." Harry will maintain a close association with CPJ, in special projects work, as transitions proceed beyond June 2008.

The Board of Directors has appointed a transition team consisting of:

• Janet Wesselius, Board Chair
• Mike Bulthuis, Director
• Kathy Vandergrift, Director
• Fred Wind, Director
• Maria Paez Victor, Director
• Harry Kits, Executive Director

This team is leading the transition process as CPJ continues building on the strong public justice foundation of its storied 44 year history. CPJ is immediately initiating a vigourous search for a new executive director.

"My time as executive director has been incredibly rewarding," says Harry Kits, "particularly establishing CPJ's presence in Ottawa. I look forward to a new leader at CPJ who will develop its mission even further."

These are important times in Canadian public life, and CPJ’s board and staff are excited that CPJ is well placed to make a key contribution to public life from its new home in Ottawa.