Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to table a petition signed by people from my riding of Mississauga—Streetsville and other parts of the greater Toronto area.
The petitioners are concerned about the ongoing discrimination against Egypt's Christian citizens who seek systematic change for justice and equality within Egypt.
Those who have attached their names wish to call our attention to the evening of January 6, the Orthodox Christian celebration in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, which ended in violence, 6 murdered and 15 injured. This is only the most recent example of religiously motivated attacks. Sadly this type of violence and persecution has become a common occurrence in Egypt over the last 30 years. Those who are victims feel unheard by their government. They feel it has failed to dissuade this violence or take the necessary steps that are needed to be taken to reach sustainable change.
The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to demand justice and equality within Egypt and to intervene and pressure the Egyptian government to ensure tolerance, freedom and safety to its Christian population.