3 May 2013
Dear Canadian Rotarian:

Over the course of the past year we have asked you to reach out to your Member of Parliament to encourage Canada’s continued financial support for global polio eradication as our highest priority. We are pleased to report that the Canadian Government has heard and responded to the collective appeal of Canadian Rotarians.
 
ImageIn addition to the $2.27 million provided by the Canadian Government to match the funds raised by Canadian Rotarians through the Pennies for Polio initiative, Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino announced a commitment of C$250 million through 2018 at the Vaccine Summit held in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this week, we were asked by the Minister to attend a small ceremony on Parliament Hill to celebrate the most recent milestone in our longstanding collaboration toward a polio free world. Some twenty five Members of Parliament joined to show their support and commitment. Both CIDA and Rotary issued press releases highlighting this collaboration, and the Wall Street Journal picked up the story.

We could not have achieved this result without your active participation and support. We can be proud of what we have achieved and in the knowledge that our actions have had a genuine impact – one that will forever change our world for the better. We encourage you to thank your Member of Parliament for their support of global polio eradication, but this message is really to THANK YOU for your contribution to this positive result.

We are this close to a polio free world. We could not have come this far without you and we look forward to the day when we will make history by conquering polio.

With sincere appreciation,

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson Bryn Styles
Chairman, The Rotary Foundation Member, Rotary International Board of Directors
Bob Scott Richard Clarke
Chair, International PolioPlus Committee President, The Rotary Foundation - Canada