A federal New Democrat resolution that originally called on Canada to recognize the “State of Palestine” was passed amid widespread outrage on Monday after the Liberals drastically changed its wording to see the government simply working towards that goal as part of a two-state solution. .
According to Canadian media, after it seemed destined to fail when the governing Liberals promised on Monday not to let the opposition influence their foreign policy, House of Commons Leader Steven MacKinnon shocked MPs on both sides of the aisle when he stood up in the final minutes of the debate, according to Canadian media. table a nearly 500-word motion that reworded significant portions of the NDP motion.
The federal New Democrats proposed a resolution in Canada to recognize the “State of Palestine”, but the Liberals amended it to focus on promoting peace in the Middle East through a two-state solution.
Despite last-minute changes, the bill passed amid controversy, with the NDP claiming victory.
The amended proposal received support from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs, while the Conservatives opposed it.
The debate highlighted tensions and concerns about the process and implications of the resolution. Despite our differences of opinion, we remain focused on achieving peace and stability in the region amid the ongoing conflict.
Almost a whole day of debate
After generating considerable international attention and division among MPs during nearly a day of debate, the NDP’s non-binding but symbolic motion ultimately passed 204 to 117.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and nearly all Liberal MPs voted yes, along with NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his party voted against the proposal.
While almost every element of the movement has been changed (opens in new tab), probably the biggest change came in the last line.
The line originally asked the House to call on the government to “officially recognize the State of Palestine” but was rewritten to read: “Work with international partners to actively advance the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution .”
“We forced the government to go in a certain direction,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said, speaking to reporters just before the vote, declaring victory while facing questions about why his party didn’t write the bill differently to begin with if Monday’s result was what they intended .
Speaking to reporters after the vote, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada was sending a “strong message” to the world. Asked whether the measures in the proposal should now be considered the government’s official position, Joly said that was “clearly the intention of this government”.
“The definition of a two-state solution was really important because of course we know that Canada as a G7 country is sending a message to the other G7 countries,” Joly said.
