Mr. Chair, for 23 years Rights and Democracy was funded by Progressive Conservative and Liberal governments, and in the last several years by a Conservative government. During that time it did gain international respect for the work it did in institution-building in both rights and democratic development, but it did over the course of its history disagree with governments and did speak independently from time to time.
It is broadly felt that the defunding of this organization reflects this current government's desire to silence dissonant voices. This is troubling. It's consistent with the decision of the government to cut funding for KAIROS and other organizations that have received federal funding and support for a long time.
It is consistent with its attitude towards the Parliamentary Budget Officer and anyone internal to the government or in the NGO community, any group or organization that has the audacity to speak truth to power, or at least to express a different view.
I think it's important for any government to recognize that you don't simply fund the groups that agree with you. It's a responsibility of any responsible government.