Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that is organized by the peace train movement. The Canadians who have signed this petition are committed to advancing peace and human rights. It is timely, as the peace trainers have travelled across the country.
The petitioners note that Canada pledged itself to these principles with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and reaffirmed them through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
They highlight that justice, equality and freedom are essential to preventing conflict, while the lack of respect for these rights fuels violence worldwide. Petitioners further stress that Canada lost vital civilian-led capacity for research, education and training in peace operations with the closure of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre.
Therefore, they call upon the Government of Canada to establish and fund a new centre of excellence for peace and justice to support conflict resolution, diplomacy and peacebuilding for Canadians and the international community, a place that could help advance conflict prevention and human rights at home and around the world.