July 30, 2025 – Oakville, ON: The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) welcomes the Government of Canada’s intention to recognize the State of Palestine, as announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney today. This is a long-overdue and significant step in aligning Canada’s foreign policy with international law, global consensus, and the principles of justice and human rights. With 147 UN member states having already recognized Palestinian statehood, this move signals an important acknowledgment of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
We appreciate the government’s stated recognition of the rights of Palestinians, its opposition to illegal annexation in the occupied West Bank, and its affirmation of Canada’s role in advancing a peaceful and just resolution. These are important developments, and we hope they signal a broader shift in Canada’s approach to upholding international law in the region.
However, CMPAC strongly objects to any suggestion that Palestinian statehood be subject to conditions. The right to self-determination is not conditional; it is inherent, universal, and enshrined in international law. Canada has no place dictating the terms of Palestinian sovereignty, including who Palestinians may choose to represent them or how they govern themselves. References to demilitarization or “acceptable leadership” undermine the legitimacy of a future Palestinian state and risk replicating past patterns of external control. Canada must uphold the principle that Palestine, like all other UN member states, has the right to exist as a fully sovereign, independent, and self-governing state – free from political preconditions or imposed limitations.
CMPAC also affirms its unequivocal opposition to all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the government’s stated intention to introduce legislation that could create legal “buffer zones” around protests deemed offensive or hateful. While framed as a response to antisemitism, such legislation risks being applied in ways that suppress legitimate pro-Palestinian advocacy and dissent. We caution against any legal or policy framework that conflates criticism of Israeli state policy with hate speech. The protection of communities from hate must not come at the expense of Canadians’ Charter-protected rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political activism.
Finally, CMPAC recognizes and honours the principled advocacy of pro-justice organizations, civil society actors, and grassroots movements across Canada. Their sustained efforts have played a critical role in shifting public discourse and political will, helping bring about this important policy development in support of Palestinian rights.
