Mr. Speaker, I would like to present two petitions on behalf of constituents in my riding of Scarborough—Guildwood. This is from the Somaliland expatriate community. It wishes to have Canada recognize Somaliland as an independent country, as well as contribute to international disaster and relief efforts in Somaliland.
Somaliland was a former British protectorate. After an unsuccessful union with Somalia, the people declared their independence in 1991. Over the last 25 years, Somaliland has established a new constitution and its own currency and bank. The people have overseen the restoration of peace and an independent judiciary. In 2015 and 2017, Somaliland suffered from a drought. The local population has suffered from malnutrition, lack of water, and thousands of deaths.