After a two-year battle with cancer, Carl Hétu passed away surrounded by family in the early hours of May 27. He was 66.
The executive director of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada for the past four years, Mr. Hétu had a long career in the overseas development field, including an earlier 14-year stint with D&P from 1990-2004 as an animator for various regions across Ontario. From there, he would take on the directorship of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada, helping shift its focus on longer-term projects while at the same time helping reorganize its headquarter operations.
Mr. Hétu’s return to D&P in early 2022 began with a strengthening of its relationship with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, a relationship that had become strained over some of its partners accused of support for positions in conflict with the Church, namely abortion. Winning the bishops’ trust, Mr. Hétu took to expanding and reinforcing its advocacy and philanthropic development functions, growing its youth and schools’ programs and professionalizing its social media presence, all within two years.
He would then go on medical leave in late 2024 after health issues arose, but return by July 2025 to guide the organization.
“Carl was a man with a big heart whose passion and unifying vision left a profound mark on (D&P),” said president Gabrielle Dupuis. “His human and collaborative approach, along with his ability to listen, helped strengthen bonds within the organization and with our partners, allies and collaborators. His impact on our programs, the way we work together and the many people he touched will continue to be felt for years to come.”
