Since October 7th, 2024, Canadian Muslims, pro-Palestinian communities, and countless Canadians across the country have been unified in demanding that Canada’s foreign policy align with principles of justice, human rights, and international law. For many, Canada’s stance on Palestine is now a top election issue—a factor that will directly influence voting decisions in the 2025 federal election.
Over the past months, the push for a balanced and fair Canadian foreign policy has taken shape through joint community statements, mass protests, advocacy campaigns, and direct calls to action aimed at pressuring the Canadian government to shift its approach.
Why Does This Matter?
Canada’s policy on Palestine is not just about foreign affairs—it’s about human rights, accountability, and the role Canada plays on the global stage. The current government’s response has faced intense criticism for failing to align with the views of a growing majority of Canadians who want a just and principled stance on Palestine.
A new campaign, VotePalestine.ca, has been launched by Palestinian organizations, community leaders, and allied groups to provide a clear perspective on Canada’s obligations under international law and to help voters evaluate candidates based on their position on Palestine.
Key Policy Issues Shaping Canada’s Stance on Palestine
Here are the top policy demands that have emerged as critical priorities for the 2025 election:
📌 Imposing a Two-Way Arms Embargo on Israel
- Canada must end all military exports to Israel and ban the import of Israeli arms used in violations of human rights.
- This is essential to ensure that Canada is not complicit in war crimes committed against Palestinians.
📌 Ending Canadian Involvement in Illegal Israeli Settlements
- Canada’s government must stop trade and economic support for illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
- This includes banning settlement goods from Canadian markets and ending corporate complicity in settler-colonial expansion.
📌 Addressing Anti-Palestinian Racism & Protecting Freedom of Expression on Palestine
- Canadians speaking out for Palestine are being targeted, silenced, and harassed.
- Academic institutions, workplaces, and public spaces must uphold free speech and protect pro-Palestine voices from repression.
- The government must recognize and address anti-Palestinian racism in policies and institutions.
📌 Recognizing the State of Palestine
- Canada continues to refuse to recognize Palestine as a state, despite overwhelming global recognition.
- This election, voters must push candidates to support formal recognition of Palestine and a true commitment to self-determination.
📌 Properly Funding Relief Efforts in Gaza & Supporting UNRWA
- The Canadian government must restore and increase funding for UNRWA, the UN agency providing life-saving aid to Palestinian refugees.
- With Gaza facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history, Canada’s relief efforts must meet the scale of the emergency.
What You Can Do
📢 Visit VotePalestine.ca to:
- Learn more about these policy demands.
- Evaluate where your local candidates stand on Palestine.
- Take action by signing onto the campaign.
Palestine is not just a foreign policy issue—it is a Canadian election issue. If we want a government that upholds human rights and international law, we must vote accordingly.
