Craig Bowman has been volunteering with CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) since 2001, and for the past thirteen years, has been a beloved part of GGP’s income tax clinics, showing up every spring to help our clients navigate the world of Canadian taxes.

Craig’s journey with GGP began through a simple act of encouragement. While working at Canada Revenue Agency as a Training Coordinator, a newly hired colleague, a Taiwanese-Canadian woman pursuing her accounting education, had heard that volunteering at GGP was a wonderful experience. Knowing Craig had spent three years leading the CVITP program across a vast swathe of Saskatchewan, from Davidson to Stony Rapids, she asked if he’d come with her. He said yes. And the rest is history.

Craig continues to volunteer at GGP each spring because he believes in what this work means. “Immigrants are an underserved community when it comes to learning how to navigate the bureaucracy and network of social supports here in Canada, so I find the tax clinics to be very productive,” he reflects. “Helping people to learn about their responsibilities and ensuring that their benefits are maintained is a worthwhile goal.”

Among his many memories, one story stands out. At a GGP tax clinic, Craig met a fellow volunteer, a CPA from a Chinese-Canadian family who had moved to Saskatoon for work. “We became friends, and I told him about what it was like to work at CRA. When he decided to apply to work there too, I helped him with the application process. He got the job, and we still keep in touch several times a year, even though I have since moved on to a different branch of government. My friend is now a senior GST auditor based out of the Southern Alberta Tax Services Office.”

Craig brings not just expertise to his work, but genuine interest and deep admiration for the people he serves. “I have a lot of respect for people who have sacrificed the comfort of the world they knew in order to pursue a better or more peaceful life here in Canada with a different culture and often a different language. Society tends to make assumptions about them as a group, but my experience at GGP has helped me to see each individual has their own story with a lot of nuance. GGP is a great way to meet with and learn about these fascinating people. I wish more native-born Canadians took the time and opportunity to experience the positive vibes I experience during my conversations with people navigating this difficult life transition.”

For newcomers, navigating the Canadian tax system can feel overwhelming and isolating, and that’s where dedicated volunteers like Craig become truly essential. As our resident tax expert, Craig is our go-to for any and every tax question, and he always comes through. His expertise ensures that every newcomer gets the support they deserve during what is already a difficult life transition. We are so grateful for him and for all of our incredible Income Tax Clinic volunteers, whose dedication makes our clinic a true lifeline for the communities we serve. We are deeply honoured to have each and every one of them in our corner, year after year.