Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation (CPCF) was created in 1967 in an effort to establish a lasting legacy for its’ members that would endure over time. It would show our members and the public our Canadian pride and our resolve to assist those in need. The foundation was registered as a Non Profit Corporation for charitable purposes in 1968 to support the charitable objectives and purposes of the Canadian Progress Club (CPC). In keeping with regulatory changes, it’s bylaws were updated in 2014 and now the foundation operates as an independent body with the full support and involvement of it’s membership.
It is recognized by CRA as a “charitable organization” pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Since the establishment of CPCF, a number of organizations have benefited from support received through the Foundation. These include Camp Warwa (Edmonton), Canadian House of Progress (Regina) and Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf (Toronto), to name but a few. We continue to look for new initiatives to promote the ideals of the Canadian Progress Club and support those causes that aid the disadvantaged and strengthens the fabric that is Canada.
In 1986, the members of CPC, looking to find common ground and a uniting focus for all clubs across Canada decided to use the resources of CPCF to support Special Olympics. A goal was set to raise $1 million to be kept in an endowment fund for that purpose. From that fund periodic (now annual) donations to SOC have been and will continue to be made. Monies donated have assisted the Canadian Special Olympians to attend training activities, camps, skill and Coaching. The $1 million pool was reached in 2005 at the CPC National Convention in Saskatoon ”“ a very proud moment for all Progressians. CPC, through CPCF, is now not just a sponsor but has become a partner with Special Olympics. Currently, Special Olympics Canada holds training camps for athletes, coaches and support staff that are funded by the donation received from CPCF. A second goal was agreed upon in 2004, to raise an additional $1 million in a second endowment fund in support of Special Olympics, and we are now half way at meeting this goal.
The resources of CPCF are available to assist those in need in all communities across this great country where there is a CPC presence. CPCF charitable purposes place a strong focus on persons with physical and intellectual disabilities, as evidenced by our past activities but other purposes are also well recognized and supported. You can be a part of all of this by contributing to Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation (CPCF).
The resources of CPCF are generated from funds raised by the chartered Canadian Progress Clubs located across Canada, and their members and sponsors. Money is also raised by individual and corporate donations.
For more information on the Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation, or to make a donation by more traditional means, please contact CPCF National Office at Progressclub@rogers.com.
Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation Board
Glenn Semaniuk
Chair
Halifax
In 2008. Glenn Semaniuk became a fellow Progressian and has never looked back!
For four years from 2019, he had actively served as our Eastern Region Director on the Foundation Board and proudly became Chair in the Fall of 2023!
As part of his CPCF responsibilities, Glenn also continues with an integral role of coordinating our Canadian Emergency Relief Initiative (CERI). This important funding campaign is lead by the Foundation to identify a need in any province where a community requires much needed relief efforts. With Glenn’s leadership and through the generosity of various Progress Clubs and individual Progress members from across the country the CERI drives have been highly impactful.
Glenn currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife Leah and daughter Saige, but has lived all across the country including Manitoba, Ontario and BC. Some speculate he may have left Ontario in the early 2000’s after Taser guns we introduced. During his past role as a television news reporter, an officer demonstrated the Taser on Glenn while doing a stand-up. After falling face first, he still continued with the story! Not long after, they stopped allowing the media to do that and Glenn fully understood the reasoning! Glenn has worked in media for nearly 30 years in a variety of radio/tv roles including on-air sales, and management. He is currently the General Manager/General Sales Manager for Stingray Media Solutions, Nova Scotia. As a long-standing member of his home club, CPC-Halifax, Glenn has served local leadership positions, including Club President in 2017-18 and a 3-tme Co-Chair of the Desjardins Sports Charity Dinner which has been running for over 50 years!
Like all Progressians, Glenn is thankful to have the good fortune to be in a position to give back and help those in need! Glenn is also thankful for all the Progress Club members, our event sponsors and patrons who enable us to do all the good we do across the country!
Marie Law
Past Chair - SOC Liaison
Greater Moncton Women
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Marie’s hometown of Lethbridge had a population of 300. Off to Dalhousie University at the age of 16, there were more people in her first year Psychology class than there was in her hometown!
In 2014 Marie began a wonderful new chapter in her life when she joined the Canadian Progress Club. As the Chair of Foundation since 2019, she works with the Foundation Board of Directors to oversee our investment portfolios are well managed and accounted for and to maintain our line of communication with our benefactor, Special Olympics Canada. Marie is no stranger to volunteering as she has been active in her community throughout her 34 years of teaching and while at the Provincial Home School in Newfoundland, was awarded a volunteer medal for her services, recognized by her peers and all those she gave her time to. Marie’s motto in teaching is the same as in life, you only get what you give. It’s no wonder her favourite quote is from Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we do, we make a life by what we give”. Marie believes people need to step up for injustices and inconsistencies in the world where others are being disenfranchised. Social time with friends and Family is very important to Marie and whether travelling with her British husband, cooking up a feast or relaxing with a good book, these are just some of the comforts Marie enjoys.
Doug Baker
Secretary Treasurer
Halifax
Our Foundation Board role as Secretary-Treasurer is held by Doug Baker. Doug learned quickly why he wanted to be part of our great team since his first meeting in 1982. He has held numerous positions throughout the organization, from Club Secretary to Foundation Chair and during this journey has had many highlights with all the charities he has worked with and the Fellowship he has enjoyed.
Doug grew up in the Halifax/Dartmouth area and his father’s naval career caused a great deal of travelling in his early years, but also created a love for travelling which he continues to enjoy with his family.
Doug’s responsibilities in this role are to frequently monitor and communicate the financial status of our Foundation investments as well as our internal programs and other donations. His 40+ year career holding senior positions in the retail business sector provided the experience and maturity required for this position.
Doug values honesty and integrity and believes in his father’s words that if you lose that, you’ve lost everything. Leadership is another important value to Doug which he commits to in his own daily life. He continues to be very active in golfing, skiing, skating and hiking, just to name a few. Doug is also a true foodie and enjoys foods and flavours from all over the world. But that doesn’t stop at the main course, as he loves to bake, especially artisan bread. He refers time as an ingredient when making bread as it is the last step for the bread to grow to the perfect preparation before you bake it.
Sharon Milton
Director of Central Region
Durham Region Women
Sharon has been a proud member of Progress for almost 30 years, holding most positions within the club, her least favourite being Treasurer! She has received many awards, and stands proudly as a Hall of Famer. In addition to her role as Director of Foundation for Central Region, Sharon was previously the NVP for the Central Region, and is President of the local chapter in Pickering Ontario, the Durham Region Women’s Club. Communication is important in both of her roles to ensure information and opportunity is brought forward from our National Board to our Regional Clubs. Sharon recognizes the importance of Family and introducing volunteerism at a young age. Her sons, Scott and Daniel value their youthful lessons as it has helped them grow to be selfless young men who have continued to support others throughout their own personal and professional lives.
Sharon has made lifelong friends and community contacts that have been valuable to her personal and professional life. While many other service clubs offer value, Progress offers friendship, to which value is priceless!
Bruce Lyle
Director of Western Region
Calgary Downtown
From the Western Region, our Canadian Progress Club Foundation Board member is Bruce Lyle. He has held his Directors’ role since 2018 and has been a member of the Calgary Downtown Club since 1979. Bruce’s role in Foundation is to help monitor the investments and distributions of the foundation and report to the CPCF board and members at large. Bruce is also responsible to increase awareness of CPCF in the community and within Progress to help to grow and increase its viability for the future. With over 40 years experience in the investment industry, other charitable groups, with community minded business supporters, doing charitable fundraising and public information dissemination, Bruce will help the foundation grow and prosper.
It is Bruce’s firm belief to put back more into the community than he has taken out. His outside interests include cooking, golf, curling, pool, skiing, camping, boating, building, travel and being with his family. Bruce is also a board member with several other business, charitable and community organizations.
It was later in life, at his 70th birthday in 2021, that his daughter-in-law had an online video made with comments from many of his friends, Progressians, family, business associates and young people that came into his life. From those comments Bruce concluded that there were three major threads of his life that came out. One that he was never boring, two that people always enjoyed his cooking and three that he was quite a nerd.
Jason Forrest
Director of Great Plains Region
Saskatoon Downtown
Jason Forrest was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he currently resides with his wonderful wife, Linda. Together they have two grown children, Tyler and Courtney, as well as their family dog a Havanese named, Zowie. They love travelling around the globe, spending quality time together on their new acreage and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Jason is the President and Senior Investment Advisor at Fortress Financial Group, which he established in 2012. As a fully licensed Securities Investment and Insurance Advisor, Jason leads his dedicated team of specialists with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Jason and the Fortress team are known for providing sound financial guidance and a wide range of services to their valued clients in Saskatchewan, and various other provinces throughout Canada.
Jason’s business is rooted in his passion for helping others and this also translates into his outreach in the greater Saskatoon community. For the past ten years he’s been an active member of the Saskatoon Downtown Progress Club where he currently holds the position of Treasurer. He enjoys dedicating his time and resources to furthering a variety of charitable initiatives that positively impact the local community.