Cheryl Gallant, MP presenting the Rotary Club polio petition to International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino with Arnprior Rotary Club members Gerhard Peters and Mike McGinn
Ottawa, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke was pleased to welcome Arnprior Rotary Club members Mike McGinn and Gerhard Peters to Parliament Hill. They were in Ottawa to present a petition to MP Gallant requesting increased support from our government in the global effort to eradicate polio. On hand with Cheryl to accept the petition was the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation.
“It was my pleasure to receive Arnprior Rotarians Mike McGinn and Gerhard Peters in Ottawa. The Rotary Club is currently involved in a joint initiative between the Government of Canada, Rotary Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the global effort to eradicate polio. The Pennies and More for Polio Initiative invites all Canadians to join in the fight to eradicate polio. The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match funds to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at a ratio of $1 for every $1 raised by Rotarians in Canada, up to a maximum of $1 million,” said Cheryl Gallant, MP.
Rotary International is very active in the Upper Ottawa Valley, with clubs in Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Bonnechere Valley Township, Petawawa, and Deep River/North Renfrew.
“Canada’s deep commitment to eradicating polio has meant that hundreds of thousands of children have been immunized, often in remote, impoverished, and very insecure regions of the world,” said MP Gallant. “The unwavering commitment of countries around the world, and of organizations such as the Rotary Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will help put an end to this devastating disease, which can be prevented with a simple vaccine. The Pennies and More for Polio Initiative will help us to achieve that goal.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will likewise provide funds of equal value, at a ratio of $1 for every $1 raised by Rotarians in Canada. This would result in every $1 raised by the Rotary Foundation leveraging an additional $2.”
“Canada and CIDA have proudly contributed to global efforts to eliminate polio, particularly where it threatens the health of the most vulnerable,” said Wilf Wilkinson of the Rotary Foundation. “This joint initiative will allow more Canadian individuals, groups, and organizations to contribute directly in the eradication of polio.”
When Rotary comes looking for your unwanted pennies, please consider the global effort to eradicate polio,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.