Le Centre Oblat: Tara Hurford Succeeds Joe Gunn

Le Centre Oblat welcomes a new leader: Tara Hurford. Founded in 2019 and located within St. Paul University in Ottawa, the Centre has been a place dedicated to justice, addressing issues such as Indigenous rights, human rights, and ecological sustainability.

It wasn’t a typical evening at Springhurst

Laughter and conversation—flowing in French, English, and Spanish—filled the cozy lounge of our historic Ottawa home. The usual calm was replaced with vibrant energy, as family, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Joe Gunn’s remarkable five-year tenure at Le Centre Oblat – A Voice for Justice.

Founded in 2019, the Centre has been a place for justice, tackling issues like Indigenous rights, human rights, and ecological sustainability. Under Joe’s leadership, the Centre helped institutions like Saint Paul University diversify their investments and encouraged others to adopt Blue Community initiatives. His vision has left a lasting mark.

A Legacy of Justice

Joe’s passion for justice was forged early. Raised in Toronto, he earned a BA in Political Science and an MA from the University of Regina. His career took him to Central America, where he spent seven years working in refugee camps and development projects in Nicaragua. Upon returning to Canada, he chaired the Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America and later the Aboriginal Rights Coalition with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

A celebration of over 50 years dedicated to social justice

At Le Centre Oblat, Joe led initiatives that influenced national policies. Notably, his work in lobbying for Bill C-262—introduced by MP Roméo Saganash to align Canadian law with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—set the stage for future success. Although the bill was delayed by the 2019 elections, Joe persisted. His tireless advocacy culminated in the passage of Bill C-15 in 2021, which codified these protections into law. As the evening progressed, it became clear this wasn’t just a farewell—it was a celebration of over 50 years dedicated to social justice.

A New Chapter Begins

With Joe’s departure, Le Centre Oblat welcomes a new leader: Tara Hurford. With experience in social justice and an academic background in Transformative Leadership from Saint Paul University, Tara is well-equipped to lead. Her vision is clear: to build on Joe’s legacy while forging new partnerships with religious and secular organizations alike. As Joe steps down, Tara’s leadership promises continuity with a fresh perspective. The mission of Le Centre Oblat remains steadfast: to advocate for justice and transformation in an ever-changing world.

Joe Gunn and Tara Hurford

By Ali Nnaemeka, OMI

Published on the OMI World website