Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by just over 90 residents of Manitoba. These Canadians represent only a handful of the thousands from every corner of the country who have been shocked by the Liberals' assertion that only those who agree with Liberal Party values will have their Canada summer jobs funding applications considered.
The affected organizations are pillars of Canadian communities, groups that do work like helping newcomers to Canada, running soup kitchens, youth drop-in centres, and summer camps.
The discriminatory values test hits at the heart of our communities in a very practical way. As a result of this decision, many community organizations will not be able to serve our communities as effectively as they have in years past. This is also an affront to the rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
That is why these petitioners are calling on the Liberal government to defend the freedom of conscience, freedom of thought, and freedom of belief, and to withdraw the attestation requirement for applicants to the Canada summer jobs program.
I hope that the Liberals respect these voices and do exactly that.