The Liberal government’s last-minute endorsement of an amended NDP motion on Palestinian statehood is being welcomed by the country’s Muslim advocacy group and derided by Jewish voices who say Ottawa has sub-contracted its foreign policy to “anti-Israel radicals.”
The motion, introduced by NDP MP Heather McPherson, was controversial from the start. One clause in the original motion called on the government to “officially recognize the State of Palestine.”
As the war rages on in Gaza, some of Canada’s allies, including the United Kingdom, have signalled they’re open to recognizing the Palestinian territories as a state — once some key conditions are met.
The idea has been pitched as a way to revive dormant peace talks and prompt the creation of an independent Palestinian state next to Israel.
The Trudeau government took out its red pen and amended the language in McPherson’s motion to add the stipulation that Canada will “work with international partners” to “pursue the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” and work “towards the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution.”
Before backing the motion, the government also adjusted its section on military exports. It wouldn’t go along with a call to “suspend all trade in military goods and technology with Israel” but agreed to “cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel.”
As for UNRWA, the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, the government agreed to maintain its funding — as it has announced previously — but it added language to the motion saying it supports an internal investigation into claims that some UNRWA staff took part in the Hamas attack of Oct. 7.
The government also added verbiage about backing “long-term governance reforms” and “accountability measures” at UNRWA. The aid agency has been described by some as an essential lifeline for Gazans living through a destructive war — while some Israelis claim it has been infiltrated by Hamas-linked elements.
House passes watered-down Palestinian recognition motion
The House of Commons passed a softened NDP motion on Monday night that no longer calls for the federal government to officially recognize Palestinian statehood after last-minute amendments brought in by the governing Liberals.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said the government secured important “concessions” before agreeing to the motion’s passage.
“We were able to find common ground on the question of the two-state solution, which is important for Canadians and for our country,” she said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Palestinians are “suffering on a massive scale in Gaza,” and the entire population of the territory is “on the brink of starvation.”
“Our motion offers real solutions for peace and justice, as well as steps to show that Canada can be a force for good in this world and that Canada and its leaders have the moral courage to say when enough is enough,” he said.
Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7. The surprise Hamas assault left some 1,200 people — mostly civilians but also soldiers, police officers and security officials — dead in Israel, according to officials, and saw hundreds of hostages taken to Gaza.
Gaza health officials said that, as of last week, Israel’s military campaign had killed more than 31,000 people and displaced nearly two million more.
Parliamentary vote on Palestinian statehood tests Liberal caucus
March 18, 2024 – “We’ve given the Liberals our red lines,” says NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson ahead of a vote on the opposition day motion brought forward by her party. The non-binding motion calls on the Canadian government to take a number of actions in response to the war in the Gaza Strip, including “officially” recognizing “the State of Palestine.” Plus, we have reaction from Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who is calling the motion a “huge slap in the face” for Canada’s Jewish community.
McPherson said she was amenable to the government’s changes because the motion was never meant to be “a ‘gotcha’ motion” — the party wanted the government to come on side.
“This is a moment in time where we need to come up with a better solution for peace in the Middle East,” she told CBC News.
The government’s changes meant that a motion that was destined to fail — fewer than a dozen Liberal MPs told CBC News earlier Monday they would vote in favour — easily carried the House of Commons, with only the staunchly pro-Israel Conservative caucus, three Liberals and an Independent MP voting nay.
The final vote count was 204 in favour and 117 voting against.
Motion ‘rewards Hamas,’ says Liberal MP
MP Anthony Housefather, one of the Liberals who voted no, said Canada’s Jewish community is feeling “demoralized and intimidated” as it grapples with a spike in antisemitism.
In a speech to the Commons, Housefather said the motion “rewards Hamas,” because it creates “a false equivalency between the State of Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.”
“Canada should be standing with Israel. Canada should be defending the right of Israel to fight back against a terrorist organization. We should not be passing motions that make a terrorist organization equivalent to a democratic state,” he said.
Liberal MP says he has to reflect after Liberals voted for amended motion on Palestinian statehood
Anthony Housefather says he felt ‘a line [was] crossed’ when his caucus colleagues applauded the NDP MP who brought forward a motion on Palestinian statehood Monday. Housefather says he is reflecting on the motion and whether he can stay in the role of parliamentary secretary. The Liberal government endorsed an amended version of the motion.
The amended motion passed by the Commons does describe Hamas as “a listed terrorist organization.”
The government agreed to language demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza — but added the stipulation that Hamas “must lay down its arms.”
Asked if he could stay on as a parliamentary secretary after the government’s endorsement, Housefather told CBC News he would “take the time to reflect.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before question period, Housefather, who appeared emotional, said he’s re-evaluating his place in the Liberal caucus after last night’s vote. He said he’d “take the time to reflect” on whether he can stay on as a parliamentary secretary.
“I truly felt last night that a line had been crossed,” Housefather said.
“When my party members cheered and gave a standing ovation to Heather McPherson and the NDP, I started reflecting on whether or not I belonged. I didn’t feel like some MPs — or a lot of MPs — understood the existential threat that Israel faces.
“I am such a proud Canadian but I also care passionately about the state of Israel because it’s the only refuge for Jewish people when they’re exiled or thrown out of countries. You need an Israel.”
He said the government didn’t have to vote for an NDP opposition day motion — it made a choice to adopt something that’s been widely panned by many Jewish Canadians, he said. “It easily could have been voted down,” he said. “That should have been the course.”
While he’s uneasy about his place in the party he’s called home for most of his life, Housefather said his colleagues have shown him “a lot of love.”
CIJA, a Jewish advocacy group, said stripping the unilateral recognition of Palestine from the motion was the result of “substantial mobilization of the pro-Israel community,” but it still criticized the motion as passed.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Liberal government has chosen to effectively sub-contract Canadian foreign policy to anti-Israel radicals within the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois,” the group said in a statement following the vote.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a vocal critic of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and an advocate of Canada taking a harder line against the Jewish state and its leadership, said it was pleased by what it described as “a historic vote.”
“Canada voted in favour of Palestine today,” the group said. “That is history.”
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says he’ll take time to reflect on the motion and whether he can continue to serve as a parliamentary secretary. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
The NCCM said it was happy with what it described as the motion’s call for “a weapons embargo” and a passage that would impose “sanctions on settlers” — a reference to one passage of the motion that calls on the government to impose sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have attacked Palestinians.
Salma Zahid, a Liberal MP who backed the motion from the start, said “a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions” is unfolding in Gaza and Canada must do something.
She said that given the massive civilian death toll in Gaza, Canada needs to “do more than just wag its finger” at the Israeli government over its actions.
Zahid was particularly critical of the Israeli government’s tacit acceptance of settlements in the West Bank.
Those settlements, which are seen as illegal under international law, have been described as an impediment to the creation of a future Palestinian state.
“It is time for Canada to stand up and be counted. Canadians are looking to us. They expect us to lead. They expect us to act. Either we stand for peace and justice, or we do not,” she said.
The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.
The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”
Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.
Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.
He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.
But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.
The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.
The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.
Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.
Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”
Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The winner will be announced in late November.
The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.
The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.
They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.
The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.
“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.
“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”
His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.
“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.
“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”
The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.
“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”
Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.
“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.
The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.
“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”
Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.
“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”
“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”
The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.
Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.
A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.
—
Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors kick off the 2024-25 season on Wednesday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena. Here are five things to know ahead of the Raptors’ home opener:
THREE DECADES — It’s the Raptors’ 30th anniversary and the team has plans to celebrate all season, including bringing back their purple jerseys from the mid-1990s. Toronto will also be honouring former players, including Hall of Famer Vince Carter. He’ll be the first-ever player to have his Raptors jersey retired in a ceremony at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 2.
DEPTH CHART — The Raptors lacked depth to start last season with essentially one player coming off the bench — shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. — with then-rookie swingman Gradey Dick sometimes rotating in too. That short bench was evident with a -4.4 net rating over the season, tied with the San Antonio Spurs for third-worst in the NBA. Net rating is an advanced stat that indicates how much better or worse a team performs on a per-possession basis.
However, a series of trades and four draft picks remade the roster and greatly improved Toronto’s depth.
Point guard Davion Mitchell, power forward Ochai Agbaji and centre Chris Boucher of Montreal will lead the reserves to start the season. All three have serious NBA experience, averaging more than 17 minutes per game in their careers. They’ll be joined on the second unit by centre Kelly Olynyk (back) of Kamloops, B.C., and small forward Bruce Brown (arthroscopic knee surgery) once they’re healthy for a robust veteran bench that can handle big minutes. Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto’s 19th overall pick in this past summer’s draft, will presumably be Dick’s backup at the two-guard once he’s recovered from a sprained shoulder.
COMMUTERS — Walter was the highest of Toronto’s four picks selected in the 2024 NBA draft in late June. Power forward Jonathan Mogbo (31st), point guard Jamal Shead (45th) and centre Ulrich Chomche (57th) were also selected. Although all four will see some NBA minutes this season — especially Shead, whose dogged defence was a highlight of the Raptors’ pre-season — they’ll also be regulars for the G-League’s Raptors 905 in nearby Mississauga, Ont.
IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT — The Raptors are in Group B for the NBA’s second-annual in-season tournament. They’re grouped with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. Toronto’s so-called Cup Nights will begin Nov. 12 in Milwaukee and continue when the Raptors host Detroit on Nov. 15. Their third tournament game will be Nov. 29 in Miami and then their group stage will end Dec. 3 when Indiana visits Scotiabank Arena.
Financial incentive has been added to the NBA Cup playoffs this season, with players on the winning team earning US$514,971 each, while $205,988 goes to each player on the runner-up team. Players who lost in the semis will get $102,994 apiece and players that lose in the quarters will get $51,497.
PORTER SENTENCING — Former Toronto backup centre Jontay Porter will receive face sentencing on Dec. 18 after he pleaded guilty in the summer to a U.S. federal conspiracy crime. Porter, 24, was banned from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games. Prosecutors have estimated that he could be facing a range from just under 3 1/2 years in prison to a little over four years.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
