QUEBEC CITY — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said on Friday that Canada will continue to stay true to its “values” in helping the people of Gaza.
Anand’s comments come amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest bombshell that he was
withdrawing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation
to join his “Board of Peace.”
“Our values have been clear,” she said. “Hamas should have no role in the future governance of Palestine. Hamas must demilitarize and disarm. There must be a ceasefire, and Israelis and Palestinians must be able to live in peace and security side by side.”
Anand said that the Canadian government have already put on the table approximately $400 million in humanitarian aid and will continue to do so regardless of the situation.
“That has been a priority of mine and ours in this government, and we will continue with that process, without question,” she said.
Anand said she is “constantly” in touch with her G7 counterparts on the situation in Gaza.
Carney’s ministers are in meetings in chilly Quebec City for their “cabinet planning forum” ahead of the new session starting Monday.
On Thursday evening, they were enjoying fine dining at the Château Frontenac when news of Trump rescinding his invitation to Carney to the “Board of Peace” popped on their phones.
“Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time,” he wrote on social media.
The latest turn of events seemingly marks an escalation of the tensions between Canada and the U.S. after Carney offered a widely praised speech at the World Economic Forum.
On Tuesday, Carney declared to the audience that the old “rules-based international order” was dead and exhorted countries to speak out against bullies and “hegemons.” He, however, did not single out Trump or any other world leaders by name.
The later after, Trump told the Davos crowd that Canada — and its prime minister — should be “grateful” to its southern neighbour.
“They should be grateful to us, Canada — but they’re not. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
On Thursday, Carney offered a succinct rebuttal in an address in Quebec City.
“Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security and in enriched cultural exchanges,” he said.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
Carney had accepted a role on
Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace”
last week, according to a senior government official, but grew more cautious as the days went by after it was revealed that the U.S. President would ask for a membership fee of $1 billion US.
“We think there (are) aspects of the governance and the decision-making process that could be improved,” Carney said in Davos.
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