William (Bill) Janzen, former director of Mennonite Central Committee Canada’s Ottawa Office, is being appointed to the Order of Canada in July in recognition of his contributions to government policy, refugee resettlement, citizenship, development aid and peacebuilding.

Janzen shaped peace and justice initiatives both in Canada and abroad during his long history of service and influence. He led the office from its inception in 1975 until 2008.

Now known as the Peace & Justice Office, the office was tasked with both political and public engagement. This was a new direction for MCC Canada at the time — establishing government advocacy on issues related to its programs while monitoring government policy for Mennonite and Brethren in Christ constituency.

Janzen played a key role in negotiating Canada’s first master agreement for private sponsorship of refugees in 1979 following the Vietnam War. MCC Canada was the first church-based organization to sign a private sponsorship agreement with the government. The agreement opened the door for hundreds of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches to help resettle thousands of refugees across the country.

“With this agreement, Bill found a practical way for Canadians to do something they really wanted to do, which was to support those who need refuge and to live out their Christian calling to welcome the stranger,” said Rick Cober Bauman, MCC Canada executive director.

“This sponsorship agreement was a huge milestone in MCC Canada’s history because it paved the way for faith communities to sponsor and support refugees over the last 45 years. Bill made it happen, along with many other peacebuilding initiatives and important advocacy efforts that have had a lasting impact on Canadian society.”