KAIROS is a Canadian non-governmental organization (with a chapter in Mississauga) is a leader in promoting social, economical and environmental justices around the world and here in Canada. KAIROS, made up of a coalition of churches with a proud history in promoting human rights and social justice, has been notified that the Conservative government has terminated its funding without any explanation.

This is yet another example of how the Conservatives have been unabashed about using government resources to either promote their party or silence voices they disagree with. This pattern is alarming.

I have had the privilege of dealing with KAIROS on issues of importance such as combating climate change and promoting human rights on many occasions and found them and their volunteers to be passionately committed to improving the wellbeing of humanity. I am very disturbed by the decision to cut their funding.

Make no mistake about it. This move combined with other decisions such as cutting the funding of the Canadian Arab Federation, other funding decisions, and the vicious attacks against a Canadian diplomat who speaks up against torture will send a profound chill across the NGO sector that the Conservatives have no qualm with blatant political interference if they don’t like you.

Step by step, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are incrementally trying to fundamentally change Canada in a way most Canadians would disagree with. They are, however, doing it quietly and subtly. Some Canadians may not notice the severity of these changes today, but if left unchecked, we will wake up one day where Canada is no longer the country many of us have been accustomed to.

KAIROS has issued a call to action raising awareness about what that decision will mean to the many projects they have been working on and asking all Canadians to write to the prime minister and their MP expressing their outrage with that misguided move.