441-01935 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada has and will continue to condemn racism and discrimination in all its forms.

The Government is deeply troubled by the rise of hatred and discrimination directed at Jewish and Muslim communities, and those perceived to belong to these communities.

We are taking meaningful steps to build a more inclusive society by renewing and strengthening Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, developing Canada’s Action Plan on Combating Hate, as well as increasing funding for multicultural community programs across the country.

Since 2019, the Government has committed over $200 million through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to combat systemic racism and discrimination in Canada.

This includes $85 million, provided through Budget 2022, to support Indigenous Peoples, as well as Black, racialized, and religious minority communities while also raising awareness of issues related to racism and hate in Canada.

It also includes $25.4 million over five years, starting in 2023-24, and $0.6 million ongoing, provided through Budget 2023, to support Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and address all forms of racism, including but not limited to anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.

The federal government also plans to introduce a new Action Plan to Combat Hate. This new Action Plan will include measures to combat hateful rhetoric and acts, building on measures announced in Budget 2023 to build safer, more inclusive communities.

In addition, the federal Government has appointed a Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, and a Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.

The Special Envoy, Deborah Lyons, supports efforts to combat antisemitism and hatred domestically, interacting with Canadian institutions and stakeholders to promote Holocaust education, remembrance and research. The Special Representative, Amira Elghawaby, serves as a champion, advisor, expert and representative to the Canadian government, for the purpose of enhancing efforts to combat Islamophobia and promote awareness of the diverse and intersectional identities of Muslims in Canada.

Canada stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity and without fear. Canada mourns every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and expresses condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.

Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. Canada condemns Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. Canada recognizes Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.

Canada remains deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the diminishing safe space for civilians, and the ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians.

Canada supported the previous pause in hostilities that allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and supported an increase in humanitarian access to affected civilians. Canada wants to see this pause resumed and supports urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire.

Canada voted in favour of a resolution adopted on December 12, 2023, by the United Nations General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Canada supported the ceasefire referred to in this resolution as a necessary step to protect civilians, to allow for the entry of important humanitarian relief into Gaza, and to allow foreign nationals, including Canadians, to leave Gaza. In explaining its support for the resolution, Canada reiterated that this ceasefire cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using civilians as human shields, and it must lay down its weapons. There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

Canada supports Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Canada opposes the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade. Canada emphasizes that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism.

The rapid and unimpeded access of humanitarian relief for civilians is essential. Canada will continue to work with partners towards ensuring the sustained access of humanitarian assistance for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers. To date, Canada has announced $60 million in humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of vulnerable civilians in this crisis, including a matching fund of $13.7 million that leveraged the generosity of individual Canadians. This funding will help provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services and other life-saving assistance. Canada will continue to support civilians with life-saving humanitarian aid, while ensuring that no money gets into the hands of Hamas.

Canada remains committed to working with allies and partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognized borders.

With respect to the calls for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), as well as the Sub-Committee on International Human Rights (SDIR), to initiate studies on the topics suggested, the Government of Canada fully respects the independence of the House of Commons and its committees to make decisions with respect to their own agendas. As such, these requests are best brought to the attention of the Honourable Member for Willowdale and the Honourable Member for Laval—Les Îles as Chairs of FAAE and SDIR, respectively. The relevant contact information and a listing of ongoing and upcoming studies can be found on the respective pages for each committee on the House of Commons website.