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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
ALBERTA

The Honourable Stephane Dion, P.C.,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6

April 20. 2016
Dear Minister Dion,

We are writing this letter to your of?ce with the intent to appeal against your government?s recent decision
to defund the Of?ce of Religious Freedom. This of?ce has stood as a shining light and strengthened
Canada's efforts to advance this fundamental human right. It is through endeavors like this Of?ce that
Canada is known for its multiculturalism and its acceptance of all faiths. The closing of this Of?ce is a
glaring blow to our multiculturalism. Discussions like defunding this Of?ce set us back in our collective
pursuit to protect some of our most vulnerable Canadians and the faiths they represent around the world.

The Of?ce has annual funding of $5-million, a smart and strategic investment in protecting and defending
this most fundamental of rights and freedoms. It is the position of our party that it is important to renew
the value we have put in this Of?ce. The mandate of the Of?ce of Religious Freedom is admirable and, in
our view, a key component in protecting every Canadian's right to religious freedom. When you look at
what the Of?ce is working to achieve you can see its value.

?The promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, is an
important part of Canada's constructive leadership in the world. Discrimination against religious
and belief communities, as with all forms of discrimination, causes human suffering, spreads
division, and contributes to a climate of fear, intolerance, and stigmatization. Canada has made
recognition of and respect for diversity a priority, both at home and abroad.?

The reality is, there are faith communities outside our borders who are being persecuted for their faith.
Some communities, like Iraq?s Yazidi Christians, are suffering an attempted genocide by the radical death
cult known as ISIL. Now is the time for free and democratic countries like Canada to highlight religious
persecution, promote religious freedoms and stand ready to defend these most basic of human rights.

Therefore, we are asking you to reverse your decision and bring the stability back by re-establishing the
necessary funding to this of?ce.

ur attention to this important matter and look fonivard to hearing from you soon.

 

Ian Jean, MLA
ow Minister of Justice Leader of the Of?cial Opposition
Wildrose Party of Alberta Wildrose Party of Alberta

LEGISLATURE OFFICE Fifth Floor, Edmonton Federal Building 9320 107 Street Edmonton, Alberta I T5K 

CC:

Rona Ambrose, Of?cial Opposition Leader, MP.
Garnett Genius. Of?cial Opposition Critic, Human Rights and Religious Freedom. M.P.

Premier Rachel Notley, MLA
Minister Kathleen Ganley. MLA

OFFICE I Fifth Floor, Edmonton Federal Building 9820 107 Street I Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1E7