Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to recognize the important work that Canadian civil society organizations are doing around the world in these difficult times. During this International Development Week, I want to recognize the critical contributions of hundreds of workers from these organizations across Canada and especially those from Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester.
Canadian international assistance has long been a beacon of hope around the world. The assistance that we provide supports the development of clean water and sanitation facilities, trains health care professionals on reducing infant mortality and ensures universal access to basic education for children, especially young girls.
With Canada's place in the world more important than ever, our government is committed to working with our civil society partners to build a strong and prosperous Canada. We know that when we work together, Canadians deliver for the world. By investing in overseas development assistance, our government is implementing a pragmatic approach—