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Canadian PM Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in November.
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00:00Boris Proulx, vice-président de la tribune de la presse et journaliste au devoir, et bienvenue à cette conférence de presse.
00:08Au podium, Mark Carney, le premier ministre du Canada, ainsi qu'Anita Annan, la ministre des Affaires étrangères du Canada.
00:16After a few remarks, we'll go to the question period, first in the room and then on Zoom.
00:22On that, Prime Minister, you have the floor.
00:24Earlier today, I convened a cabinet meeting to do two things.
00:33One, provide an update on the state of negotiations with the United States.
00:37And secondly, to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
00:41With respect to the first, the trade negotiations with the U.S., as you know, we're seeking the best deal for Canadians.
00:47We have not yet reached that deal.
00:50Negotiations will continue until we do.
00:54Minister LeBlanc and senior officials will remain in Washington in pursuit of that goal.
01:00The focus of our meeting was really the Middle East.
01:05The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.
01:09And it's rapidly deteriorating.
01:24The people who are in the world are in the United States.
01:27And many others are on the border of the famine.
01:33The Canada condemns the fact that the Israeli government israelian has let the catastrophe deteriorate to Gaza.
01:41En tant que membre fondateur des Nations Unies et de l'OTAN, le Canada est parmi les premiers
01:50à défendre la paix et de la sécurité dans le monde.
01:55Nous avons le devoir de faire respecter les droits de la personne à l'international
02:03et de favoriser la paix et la sécurité au pays et à l'étranger.
02:09L'international, le ministre des Foreign Affairs, le ministre de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée
02:15à l'Union High-Level Conference sur une deux-state solution en New York.
02:19Dans les jours, j'ai parlé avec nos allies, dont Macron Macron, le ministre de l'Assemblée
02:26et le ministre de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée de l'Assemblée.
02:32International cooperation is essential to securing lasting peace and stability in the Middle
02:40East, and Canada will do its best to help lead that effort.
02:46Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution, and independent, viable and sovereign
02:54Palestinian state living side by side with the state of Israel in peace and security.
03:04For decades, it was hoped that this outcome would be achieved as part of a peace process
03:10built around a negotiated settlement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian
03:14authority.
03:16Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable.
03:23Advocates for a two-state solution have been steadily and gravely eroded, including by
03:28the pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people, culminating in the heinous
03:34attack of October 7, 2023, and the terrorist organization Hamas's longstanding violent
03:43rejection of Israel's right to exist and its rejection of a two-state solution.
03:51The accelerated settlement building across the West Bank in East Jerusalem, all the while
03:58while settler violence against Palestinians in his sword, has also undermined the process.
04:03As have actions such as the E-1 settlement plan and this month's vote by the Knesset calling
04:09for the annexation of the West Bank.
04:13And the ongoing failure of the Israeli government to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian
04:17disaster in Gaza, with impeded access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.
04:24The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in coordinated international
04:29action to support peace, security, and the dignity of human life.
04:35Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence
04:42or terrorism, and it means honouring their innate desire for peaceful coexistence, peaceful coexistence
04:49of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous long-term
04:56future.
04:57For these reasons, Canada has intended to recognize the State of Palestine during the 4th session
05:09of the General Assembly of the Nations Unies in September 2025.
05:15This intention repose sur la volonté de l'autorité palestinienne de mener des réformes essentielles,
05:26notamment la promesse de son président Mahmoud Abbas d'organiser des élections générales
05:35en 2026 et de ne pas militariser l'État palestinien.
05:41Le Canada va redoubler d'efforts pour appuyer une gouvernements forte en Palestine et contribuer
05:50à un avenir pacifique et promoteur pour son propre.
05:55Je me suis entretenu avec le président Abbas pour réaffirmer ces points.
06:06For the reasons I cited earlier, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the
06:1180th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.
06:18This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much-needed reforms,
06:23including commitments by the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas to fundamentally
06:28reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026, in which Hamas can play no part, and
06:35to demilitarize the Palestinian State.
06:40Canada will increase its efforts in supporting strong democratic governance in Palestine and
06:45the contributions of its people to a more peaceful and hopeful future.
06:49I spoke today with President Abbas at length to reaffirm his commitment.
06:57Canada reiterates that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist
07:04attack of October 7th, that Hamas must disarm, and that Hamas must play no role in the future
07:12governance of Palestine.
07:16Canada will always steadfastly support Israel's existence as an independent State in the Middle
07:20East living in peace and security.
07:25Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian State, and one
07:32that recognizes Israel's inalienable right to security and peace.
07:40Canada has already engaged more than $340 million
07:50to support the Palestinian Authority in its efforts of stabilisation and governance of the
08:06Xi Jordanian.
08:08We work with our allies to provide an immediate help to people who are in desperate need.
08:20We work directly with partners such as the Jordanian to enable aid to the population in the
08:30days to come.
08:31And we will intensify the efforts that we deploy with our international partners to enable a
08:41plan of peace.
08:42This plan will establish the mechanisms of governance and security for Palestine and guarantee that
08:49the chaminement de l'aide humanitaire nécessaire à Gaza.
08:58Canada will be a constructive partner in building a just, meaningful, and lasting peace in the
09:02region, and a future that respects the dignity, security, and the aspirations of all Palestinians
09:08and Israelis.
09:09We say the devastation in the Middle East is deeply personal to many Canadians.
09:19Palestinian Canadians are watching as communities across Gaza face destruction and deprivation,
09:24and as communities in the West Bank are annexed.
09:29The heinous attacks of October 7th traumatized the Jewish people in Israel and here in Canada,
09:34and around the world.
09:36With each day that the remaining hostages and the remains are not returned, families live
09:41in fear and grief.
09:45We will also invest in the physical protection of vulnerable communities and places of worship.
09:46We will also invest in the physical protection of vulnerable communities and places of worship.
09:47We will also invest in the physical protection of vulnerable communities and
09:52places of worship.
09:57We will also invest in the physical protection of vulnerable communities and places of worship.
10:15Basic security is an inalienable right of every human being.
10:22We will defend that right for every Canadian.
10:26The two-state solution that Canada supports is built on the promise of Israelis and Palestinians
10:31living side-by-side in peace and security.
10:34I thank you for your attention, Abe, and the Minister and I would be happy now to take your questions.
10:43Thank you, Prime Minister.
10:45I am told that we will have about 15 minutes of questions.
10:49So, we will start, like we will have the tradition, by journalists in the room and then we will
10:54pass on the journalist on Zoom.
10:56If you are at distance on the platform Zoom, I invite you to use the function Levez la main
11:02to be recognized later.
11:05We will rest on the principle of one question and one question to follow.
11:08Just a quick note, to be mindful for interpreter friends, if you have an earpiece, just keep
11:21it away from the microphone at all times.
11:24We will start with Paul Wells, freelance.
11:27Thanks, Boris.
11:29Good afternoon, Prime Minister.
11:30You say that the recognition of a Palestinian state is predicated on important democratic reforms.
11:36Is it conditional on quick action towards those reforms?
11:40Is there any scenario in which you arrive at the General Assembly and don't recognize Palestine?
11:45Thanks for the question, Mr. Wells.
11:47Let me say on the second part, it's an intention.
11:50So, of course, there's a scenario, possibly one that I can't imagine.
11:55So, I wouldn't want to – if there were no scenario, we would proceed immediately.
12:00That's the first point.
12:02But to go more broadly, and I think this is an important area you're concentrating on,
12:08it's predicated – it relies upon the representations that have been made by the Palestinian Authority,
12:14representations that have been made now several times, both publicly spoken, in writing,
12:20to me as Prime Minister, and representations that I tested, if you will, President Abbas,
12:29in a lengthy and robust call today to confirm the intentions and the ability to do so.
12:37Now, part of what Minister Anand and her colleagues are doing is to provide some resources to help with
12:44some governance aspects of those, but, of course, the most important elements of those representations.
12:49With respect to the democratic process.
12:54Who cannot be part of that process?
12:56Hamas.
12:57Who can play no role in the future state?
12:59Hamas.
13:00The demilitarization and the persistent demilitarized Palestinian state.
13:06And, of course, the reinforcement of the importance of living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.
13:12So, it's a relatively short period – last observation, if I may.
13:15It's a relatively short period of time between now and the UN General Assembly.
13:19But we'll be working with the Palestinian Authority, and very importantly, not just us,
13:25but a series of our allies and regional powers, including those that the minister was with in New York earlier this week,
13:35and I can't name them all, but, of course, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and others, who also, to broaden your question a bit, have been very clear now that Hamas can play no role.
13:50That Hamas must return all the hostages and their remains, and the Palestinian state must be demilitarized.
13:57A follow-up.
13:59Yesterday, you had announced no intention to recognize Palestine.
14:03Today, you have announced that intention.
14:05It's impossible for me not to read into that a critique of Israel's recent behavior in the region.
14:11Well, it's – there are elements, and I listed them in my remarks, and they played a central factor in our decision.
14:21I think one of the core points is that Canada's had a longstanding, principled stand, as you know.
14:28I won't repeat it if you're familiar with it.
14:30A belief in a two-state solution, the inalienable rights of both peoples,
14:37and the fact that peace and security could only be achieved through it.
14:41That prospect, that possibility of a two-state solution is being eroded before our eyes.
14:47The accelerated settlements, the potential partition of the West Bank,
14:54the actions in Gaza that shift large portions of the population, 80 percent of the population displaced,
15:03other actions which are changing the facts on the ground in a way that removes the possibility,
15:09or lessens the possibility of there being a Palestinian state.
15:13And then when that is reinforced by votes to that effect, by statements and policies to that effect,
15:22of the government, yes, that has been one of the factors that has brought us to this point,
15:28to try to reverse, with partners, we're not under illusions about the strength of Canada,
15:33but to reverse, with partners, this cycle so that a two-state solution becomes viable.
15:39Lots more has to happen for it to be there. Thank you.
15:42We'll go to Stephanie Levitz, Global Mail.
15:47Hello, Prime Minister. Just to pick up on what you said there then,
15:51how do you see this recognition as a way to achieve that peace?
15:57Why is this a useful thing to do?
16:00It's useful in several respects, in our judgment.
16:06The first is that it works with a series of partners in the region, traditional allies,
16:13but other countries that we have worked less with, those more broadly represented in the two-state solution process
16:22that was more formally launched earlier this week.
16:26Secondly, it reaffirms and it broadens.
16:32We're part of a process that broadens the recognition of certain aspects
16:38that we have always viewed as fundamental for a Palestinian state, but others have not acknowledged.
16:44No role for Hamas, demilitarized.
16:47And to the horrible specifics of the current situation, the return of all the hostages and their remains.
16:53Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt is three examples of countries that now, literally in the last few days,
16:59have made those determinations public.
17:03And the third aspect, and I'll hand back, is that we are part of a process.
17:11We came to this decision independently, but we are part of processes that are working towards peace,
17:18that have strength in breadth and in number.
17:22So the two-state solution process, you would have heard reference to the E3 process,
17:30Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and a peace plan that they are working on,
17:37that they briefed the U.S. President on.
17:39And in both those respects, Canada can help to support those efforts.
17:45It's not been clear, say, in the last 48 hours, that either the Netanyahu government or Hamas
17:51is at all interested in these conditions.
17:55And so, who's going to make them?
17:58Well, I think there's a couple of things.
18:01I mean, Hamas, I don't know, Hamas is not welcome in any way, shape, or form.
18:07So, of course, and one of the issues is not to give Hamas in any way, shape, or form a veto over a process
18:15that affects both the Israeli and Palestinian people.
18:20I could say much harsher things, and I should say much harsher things about Hamas, but that's a basic structural point.
18:27There are some in positions of influence in the State of Israel that do not want a two-state solution,
18:39that are taking actions to frustrate that actively.
18:43And we are part of a growing and very significant international community that is leaning against that,
18:54that is prioritizing the possibility and the prospect for a two-state solution.
19:00There are other measures that can be taken. For now, what we're doing is to promote a positive process towards peace.
19:15Olivier Ferrand-Boissé, TVA. Olivier Ferrand-Boissé, TVA.
19:23Oui, bonjour. Bonjour à vous deux.
19:25Pouvez-vous nous expliquer en quoi de dire aujourd'hui que vous allez éventuellement reconnaître la Palestine va venir changer quoi que ce soit dans la situation humanitaire actuelle
19:34qui semble être le motif principal derrière votre déclaration aujourd'hui?
19:37Olivier Ferrand- OK. Ça, c'est une question fondamentale. Merci pour cette question.
19:42Alors, qu'est-ce qu'on peut faire, qu'est-ce que le Canada peut faire pour la situation humanitaire actuelle maintenant?
19:49Ce n'est pas une question de diplomatie, c'est une question de l'aide humanitaire. Il faut travailler avec nos partenaires,
19:58nos interlocuteurs dans la région, par exemple la Jordanie et le Canada. Maintenant, à ce moment-ci, on travaille avec la Jordanie
20:13afin de prévenir l'aide humanitaire demain à Gaza. Il n'y a que quatre ou cinq pays qui peuvent le faire à travers le monde. Alors, ça, c'est un processus.
20:28Bien sûr, la situation humanitaire est reliée à la grande diplomatie, mais c'est une question pour le moment actuelle à Gaza. Surtout, c'est une question de l'aide humanitaire.
20:47Et pour le moment, l'État israélien ouvre un peu la possibilité de fournir l'aide humanitaire.
20:59J'aimerais vous relancer sur les négociations commerciales avec les États-Unis. Le temps presse. On a vu des accords signés avec l'Union européenne.
21:09Est-ce qu'à ce point-ci, vous seriez prêts à accepter un accord dans lequel on aurait un tarif réduit de base qui inclurait aussi des achats ou des investissements
21:21aux États-Unis, comme on a vu avec l'Union européenne?
21:24Il y a des négociations. Les négociations sont constructives. Ils sont complexes. Ils continuent. Il y a une possibilité que les négociations ne finissent pas le 1er août.
21:47Ça, c'est possible. En ce qui concerne, mais il y a plusieurs occasions, opportunités pour la collaboration entre le Canada et les États-Unis.
22:01Ça, c'est clair. Ça, c'est clair. Y compris les investissements, les dépenses canadiennes pour la défense et la sécurité.
22:10Mais c'est le milieu des négociations.
22:14Merci.
22:16So, the question is – well, I'll simplify.
22:21It's always good to say that, look, these are complex, they're comprehensive, they're constructive negotiations.
22:27With the Americans, they're ongoing.
22:30It's possible that they may not conclude by the 1st of August.
22:35But we'll see. The team's there. We're working hard to have conversations today, myself.
22:41So, we'll see.
22:44There are – and the specific aspect of the question included a reference to the European Union deal.
22:50And could it include – could our accord with the United States include commitments on investments and other aspects?
22:58And I just observed that there are many areas for cooperation between Canada and the United States, including defense spending, security spending, investments,
23:07which is one of the reasons why we are having these broader discussions.
23:13Next up, so Paul Dutch, Global News.
23:16Speaking of the United States, did you consult with the U.S. about your decision to recognize Palestine?
23:23And can the sustainable peace process work without the U.S. being on side?
23:29Look, the United States is the essential partner in peace in the Middle East and in virtually – in many parts of the world.
23:43I'll – I'll – and we've seen – we've seen that demonstrated, first point.
23:49Second point is that the President does take a direct interest in resolving conflicts and has – with respect to a broader set of developments in the Middle East.
24:04And so, again, the United States, this President, will play – and continue to play – a central role.
24:13Others have responsibilities, Canada included, responsibilities on the humanitarian side, responsibilities with governance and other aspects that we're supporting.
24:25And we make our own independent foreign policy positions.
24:28And when we see opportunities, when we see necessity, which is what we see in this – in this case, given the retreat of the prospect of a two-state solution because of the facts on the ground, as I explained,
24:38when we see that possibility and we see the combination of an ability to influence because of our own voice and actions, but because of others and other processes that are being put in place.
24:51But to be absolutely clear – and I'll finish on this point – which is – I referenced earlier an E3 plan, the early stages peace plan.
25:00I've talked to Prime Minister Starmer about it, President Macron, as well, today.
25:06Prime Minister Starmer, in the public domain, briefed the President of the United States about the plan a few days ago.
25:12So there's a – there are connections all the way through, and my colleague, obviously, in regular contact with – for, say, homolog.
25:21Sorry.
25:22Yep.
25:23You said you came to this decision independently, so –
25:26Sorry.
25:27Yep.
25:28You said you came to this decision independently, so you're saying you would have come to this without France or the UK making this decision?
25:35No, look, I mean – I mean, independent of the United States, we – you know, but the – it – yes, it does matter that others are moving.
25:47It does matter because it increases the prospect of success.
25:52It – but the – but the core of the decision is taken on the principle that – of self-determination and – and the rights of people to self-determination.
26:07We have long – Canada – speaking for Canada now – have long felt that this should come later in a process,
26:17and that our recognitions, other recognitions, the state of Palestine, should come a point of maximum impact during a peace process.
26:26We're now at a position – I'm sorry to repeat myself – where, in our judgment and the judgment of others,
26:32is that the prospect of a Palestinian state is literally receding before our eyes, being eroded before our eyes.
26:40And so the act of – the intention to recognize, which is what we're saying today, and working with others to support a Palestinian state,
26:52possibility of a Palestinian state, reestablishes that opportunity.
26:56David Turton, CBC.
26:59U.S. Great talks.
27:03Is there any evidence that a deal with the U.S. is possible without tariffs on aluminum and steel?
27:09Look, I think I'd answer it this way, which is that the President has been very clear – and all the actions bear this out –
27:20and that there are certain sectors that are strategic, in their judgment, to the United States economy.
27:28Aluminum, steel, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber falls under 232 as well – the so-called 232.
27:38Authority, and potentially one or two more.
27:45The U.S. approach – the revealed approach of the United States in all those sectors – has been to have tariffs, some base level of tariffs.
27:56And that's consistent across – with very few relatively minor exceptions.
28:03So if we're speaking in general terms, those are the priors.
28:08That's the case.
28:09Obviously, in any broader deal, there are gives and takes, and there's various factors.
28:16But I think we have to recognize that in the strategic sectors, again, as defined by the United States, what's strategic to them, that they have tariffs.
28:25Okay.
28:26And just coming back to the recognition of a Palestinian state and the conditions that – well, the assurances, excuse me – that you've been given by the Palestinian Authority – elections, reforms, non-militarization.
28:44Just coming back to that issue of elections, how do you expect them to hold elections in Gaza when you see the devastation?
28:51Yeah.
28:52And when you see the occupation by the Israelis in the West Bank, how can they hold elections?
28:58There are – I mean, clearly that's not a possibility now.
29:05It's not a possibility in the near term.
29:09And part of this, again, is – let's go back to where we're starting, which is we are working ourselves with others to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.
29:20To not allow the facts on the ground, the deaths on the ground, the settlements on the ground, the expropriations on the ground, to get to such an extent that this is not possible.
29:40Much has to happen in order for a democratic, viable state is established.
29:47And Palestine is fully recognized that.
29:50And we're committed to help work as part of that process.
29:53But I wouldn't – I'm not in any way shape minimizing the scale of – the scale of that task.
30:01But we are going back to the fundamental principle of self-determination and what we can do to preserve that internationally. Thank you.
30:09On m'indique que malheureusement, c'est tout le temps qu'on a pour les questions, même s'il reste plusieurs journalistes sur la liste ainsi qu'en ligne, malgré tout.
30:17Thank you very much, Prime Minister.
30:18Merci beaucoup.
30:19Merci beaucoup.
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