Statement from official opposition critics for foreign affairs and immigration and citizenship?

Defunding Palestine House settlement services hurts new Canadians: NDP

“New Democrats are disappointed by the decision of the Conservative government to arbitrarily terminate funding for settlement services at Palestine House. Organizations like Palestine House provide essential services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.

“Palestine House settlement services have been funded continuously by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for over eighteen years. They have helped thousands of New Canadians in the Mississauga community with programs to help with language training and skills development. Importantly, these clients come from all corners of the world, from all faiths and backgrounds.

“Given the high quality and success of its programming, it’s clear the Minister cancelled this funding for political reasons, all of which have turned out to be spurious. And it’s the communities that rely on these services that are hurt most by this kind of interference. The Minister must stop playing politics and reverse his decision.

“This is the just the latest in a long line of politically-motivated funding cuts to public service organizations. From Palestine House to ecumenical KAIROS, this government’s unbalanced approach to the Middle East is hurting Canada’s reputation and isolating us on the world stage.”