'He gave so much to his community': Cliff Derksen, advocate for families and victims, has died

Cliff Derksen, a man who advocated on behalf of victims and families going through the justice system, has died.
Candace House confirmed Derksen passed away on Sunday.
Derksen and his wife Wilma became advocates for victims and families after their 13-year-old daughter Candace was killed in 1984. In 2018, the couple founded Candace House – a place that provides safe spaces for victims, survivors and loved one's attending court.
Candace House said Derksen dreamed of a place that could give comfort, care and refuge during families' interactions with the justice system.
"Since then, every day at Candace House we seek to live out the tremendous spirit of love and care that Cliff so wholeheartedly embodied," the organization said in a statement posted on its website.
"He gave so much to his community and every person he met. His laugh, his art, his stories, and his heart, will be deeply missed."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.

Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
G7 leaders discuss cap on price of Russian gas to squeeze war funds
Group of Seven leaders considered a possible cap on the price of Russian gas exports on Monday as a way to put the squeeze on the funding for Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine.
Woman trampled, killed by horses at central Alberta rodeo: RCMP
A 30-year-old woman is dead after falling off a horse at the Ponoka Stampede on Sunday.
Russian missile strike hits crowded shopping mall in Ukraine
Russian long-range bombers fired a missile that struck a crowded shopping mall in Ukraine's central city of Kremenchuk on Monday, raising fears of what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called an 'unimaginable' number of victims in 'one of the most disastrous terrorist attacks in European history.'
3 killed, dozens hurt in Amtrak train crash in Missouri
A passenger train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago struck a dump truck and derailed Monday in a remote, rural area of Missouri, killing three people and injuring dozens more, officials said.
'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
Deadly and contagious rabbit virus detected in Ontario for first time
A highly contagious and deadly virus that affects rabbits and hares has been detected in Ontario for the first time.
New double crater seen on the moon after mystery rocket impact
The moon has a new double crater after a rocket body collided with its surface on March 4.