Mourners react during the funeral of Israeli soldier Benjamin Loeb, a dual Israeli-French citizen, in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Loeb was killed on Saturday as the militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel. (Francisco Seco/The Associated Press)
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the federal government will be airlifting Canadians out of Israel as the country’s war with Hamas rages on.
Hamas militants launched attacks into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip over the weekend, killing hundreds and abducting dozens. Militants have continued to launch rockets from Gaza. In response, Israel has declared war on Hamas and has carried out a series of airstrikes in Gaza. An estimated 1,900 people have died on both sides.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Joly said military aircraft will begin evacuation flights from Tel Aviv “in the coming days.” Flights will be available for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families.
The government is looking into other options to assist those who cannot reach the Tel Aviv airport, Joly said. More details are expected to be announced tomorrow.
The federal government is weighing plans to get Canadians out of the country by sea and land, sources told Radio-Canada earlier Tuesday. News of a possible airlift was first reported by The Toronto Star.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said Tuesday that more than 3,200 Canadians in Israel and nearly 500 in Gaza and the West Bank have registered with the department.
The department also said it’s aware of reports that one Canadian has died and three others have gone missing in the attacks. On Tuesday, Vancouver MP Taleeb Noormohamed said a man in his riding had been killed. GAC said it was aware of reports of a second death as well.
Canadian politicians from across the political spectrum gathered at solidarity rallies in support of Israel on Monday.
In Ottawa, both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attended a rally in support of Israel.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre listen to speeches at a rally in support of Israel at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in Ottawa on Monday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
“Canada unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms condemns these terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas. We stand with Israel and reaffirm our support for Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law,” Trudeau said Monday night.
Trudeau said he was horrified by the Hamas attack on an outdoor concert and by reports of kidnappings and gun assaults targeting civilians. Hamas says it still has roughly 130 Israeli hostages.
“These acts are sickening and completely unimaginable. We demand the liberation of the hostages and urge that they are treated in conformity with international law,” Trudeau said in a mix of English and French.
In Canadian cities, as in many other countries, rallies were held over the weekend expressing support for an independent Palestinian state. Some rally attendees disavowed Hamas, while others refused to condemn its actions.
Trudeau speaks at Israel solidarity event
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks at an Ottawa-area event designed to show solidarity with Israelis amid an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Trudeau mentioned those rallies in his speech Monday.
“Let me be very clear. Hamas terrorists are not a resistance. They aren’t freedom fighters, they are terrorists. And no one in Canada should be supporting them, much less celebrating them,” he said.
Poilievre also spoke at the event Monday, expressing support for Israel and condemning Hamas.
“The incredible carnage that this terrorist death cult has unleashed in the last 72 hours would be bad enough, were it not for the apparent pleasure and sadistic pride with which it was carried out,” Poilievre said.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addresses pro-Israel rally
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a rally in Ottawa expressing solidarity with Israelis as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues after a weekend of violence.
“Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people, it does not speak for Muslims and it surely does not speak for Canadians. And that is why I unreservedly condemn any and all who took part in the disgusting celebrations that we have seen on our streets.”
Poilievre also focused some of his speech Monday on the possible involvement of Iran, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). Iran has long been one of Hamas’s most important allies.
The Conservative leader questioned how Hamas had been able to arm and organize itself to the point where it could execute the large-scale attacks over the weekend.
Canada focused on efforts to de-escalate Israel-Hamas conflict, minister says
‘We support Israel’s right to defend itself according to international law. Hostages must be released and, of course, civilians must be protected,’ said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. ‘My priority is to protect Canadians and also to work diplomatically to try to find a solution to de-escalate.’
“It’s clear to me that the regime of Iran has been the greatest actor of evil and terrorism on the world stage, and we must work day and night to defeat that regime,” Poilievre said. Iran denies it played any role in helping to orchestrate the attacks.
Poilievre called on the federal government to designate the IRGC a criminal entity. The government has imposed travel restrictions on the top echelon of the IRGC, but former justice minister David Lametti called a designation under the Criminal Code a “blunt instrument.”
In Toronto, several other federal politicians joined a pro-Israel rally, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. She noted the wide range of politicians in attendance, including MPs, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“But tonight, we are here as Canadians,” Freeland said.
“It’s so important for us to recognize how serious, how terrible, the events that we’re here to recognize are, and for us to speak as Canadians, with one voice to the world.”
Consular access
Poilievre also said that Canadians stranded in the conflict zone must receive high-quality consular services.
Over the weekend, there was some controversy over whether Canadians in the region had access to the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv. People reported being diverted to hotlines or told that the embassy was closed or working on holiday hours, according to The Canadian Press.
Speaking to CBC’s Power & Politics, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the embassy had been in operation over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
On Monday, a group of powerful Western nations, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France and Italy, released a statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for Israel and “unequivocal condemnation of Hamas.” The statement was organized under the banner of the “Quint” informal international grouping.
A Canadian official speaking on the condition of anonymity said Canada was not asked to join the statement, but downplayed the importance of its inclusion, noting Canadian statements were in lockstep with its international allies.
In a statement, the White House National Security Council said U.S. President Joe Biden “organized a call with European leaders in the Quint Format, which we use regularly for consultations, and we also continue to co-ordinate closely with our Canadian allies.”
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
