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Tony makes House statement against human rights cuts

NEWS RELEASE TONY MARTIN, MP ************************ Northern New Democrats defend Kairos against government cuts Martin cites Sudanese refugee visit to Sault in House statement OTTAWA - Two Northern Ontario New Democrats denounced today the federal
TonyMartinWinter07

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************ Northern New Democrats defend Kairos against government cuts

Martin cites Sudanese refugee visit to Sault in House statement

OTTAWA - Two Northern Ontario New Democrats denounced today the federal government’s abrupt termination of funding to Canada's major faith-based overseas human-rights organization, Kairos.

The decision, ending a 35-year funding relationship and in part defended to pay for stimulus funding, cuts Kairos’ total budget in half for the next four years, risking its human rights and international development work. “A woman in Sault Ste. Marie reminded me how Kairos brought a Sudanese refugee to area churches and schools,” said Sault MP Tony Martin in a House of Commons statement. “She wondered how else any teenager in the Sault would actually know about the real Sudan refugee story.

“Kairos and other non-profits shouldn’t foot the bill for stimulus funding that never helped non-profits or the poor. Why bankrupt such a respected organization?”

In Question Period, New Democrat John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) cited Kairos’ work “for human rights, clean drinking water, democratic governance, and social justice in developing countries that have been ripped apart by decades of war and corruption." What does this government have against people in need and why are they cutting funding to Kairos and alternatives instead of applauding and supporting their good international work just when it is needed the most?”

Here is Martin’s full statement:

“Mr. Speaker, for years the faith-based Canadian ecumenical justice initiative, Kairos, has helped Canada work for justice internationally and at home. Now Kairos, which unites 11 Canadian churches and organizations representing millions of Christians, is itself threatened by CIDA’s decision to end funding.

At risk is human rights and development work like:

- In the Congo where Kairos helped fight rape as a weapon of war

- In Indonesia, aiding those who disappeared and Victims of Violence

- In Colombia, nurturing a grassroots organization running 22 women’s centers.

A woman in Sault Ste. Marie reminded me how Kairos brought a Sudanese refugee to area schools.

She wondered how else any teenager in the Sault would actually know about the real Sudan refugee story.

Kairos and other non-profits shouldn’t foot the bill for stimulus funding.

Why bankrupt such a respected organization?

Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to restore CIDA funding to Kairos.”

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