Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is an honour to rise in the House today to present a petition on behalf of many constituents in my riding of Ottawa South. I would like to recognize the ongoing hard work and dedication of countless members of the Riverside United Church and the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, particularly Mr. Norman McLeod, who took the time to personally meet with me on this important matter.
The petitioners express grave concern with the government's decision to cut funding to KAIROS with no warning or explanation. They call upon the government and the Minister of International Cooperation to reverse their decision, restore KAIROS' long-standing relationship with CIDA and reinstate its funding.
KAIROS is the human rights and ecological justice organization of the Canadian churches. Since 1973, KAIROS and its predecessor coalitions have helped Canada act on its overseas aid obligations by channeling matched CIDA funds to human rights and women's groups in Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. It is a privilege to table this petition on behalf of my constituents.