Parliament should have discussed recognition of Palestinian state, open letter says

Community and Business Leaders Speak Out Against Government’s Decision to Recognize Palestinian State

In a recent open letter signed by numerous community and business leaders, concerns were raised regarding the Liberal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state without parliamentary debate. Signatories, including former MP Rona Ambrose and CTV host Ben Mulroney, criticized the government for making such a significant foreign policy change while Parliament was not in session, calling it “an affront to our democracy.”

Prime Minister Carney announced in July that Canada plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, contingent upon the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without involvement from Hamas.

The letter to Carney emphasized the importance of Canada continuing to support efforts towards recognizing Palestinian statehood but urged caution, stating that such a decision should only be made once a stable Palestinian government is in place.

While a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the letter, it is clear that there are differing opinions on the matter within Canadian society. Prior to Carney’s announcement, former senior Canadian diplomats had also called for recognition of a Palestinian state.

Although pro-Palestinian groups have shown some support for Carney’s announcement, there are reservations about Canada’s stipulation that Palestine must be demilitarized before recognition.

This ongoing debate highlights the complexities of international relations and the diverse perspectives within Canadian politics.

Published on August 29, 2025, by Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press