Canada to resume funding agency for Palestinian refugees

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations says Canada will resume contributing funds to the U.N. relief agency that aids and protects Palestinian refugees.

A statement Wednesday says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is pleased that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government decided to restart the funding for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.

Canada discontinued the funding in 2010 during the administration of Conservative leader Stephen Harper amid criticism that the agency funded schools that had become hotbeds of anti-Israeli extremism.

Ban met on Wednesday with Trudeau, who took office in November and has vowed more engagement in world affairs.

UNRWA marked its 65th anniversary last year. Ban said at the time that the agency was never meant to exist for 65 years but "exists because of political failure."