New Democrats Pen Letter to PM Regarding Trump Ethnic Cleansing Remarks

February 12, 2025

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister,

We are writing to you with urgency regarding the reprehensible and inflammatory remarks made by President Donald Trump during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel on February 4, 2025. His shocking suggestion that Gaza should be ethnically cleansed, coupled with plans to forcibly displace Palestinians and extend American control over the region, are not only deeply immoral but represent a blatant violation of international law, human rights, and the principles of justice. Such rhetoric and actions are an affront to the dignity of the Palestinian people and a direct challenge to global efforts to uphold peace and security.

Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, and their right to their land and self-determination is undeniable. As elected representatives, we cannot, in good conscience, stand by while such violations are allowed to take place.

As we have urged your government for months, Canada must uphold international law at all times and in all contexts.

President Trump’s Executive Order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court, currently investigating war crimes in Gaza, is a further attack on the principles of justice and impartiality. Trump’s decision puts the United States on the side of war criminals. While we were encouraged to see Canada sign the joint letter with other states parties, Canada must do far more, by rallying around the Court and its mission, increasing its funding, and standing firm in the face of this existential threat.

Moreover, President Trump’s freezing of foreign aid, coupled with a withdrawal from the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council, will make Canadians less safe. Diseases will spread. Another pandemic could be on its way. Poverty and inequality will increase. Insecurity will grow. The quality of life of many millions of people will decline. Canada will need to increase its official development assistance and diplomatic efforts with like-minded allies, given we are all at risk of the global shocks that result from Trump’s cruelty.

We cannot emphasize this enough: Donald Trump is trying to remake the world without the rules-based international order. His threats to the people of Gaza, to international justice, and indeed to Canadian sovereignty, are unacceptable. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and their cohort represent one of the greatest threats to Canada and to humanity that we have seen in decades.

The time for action is now. Canada must move beyond mere words of condemnation and take concrete steps to uphold international law:

Recall Parliament and end the prorogation. The seriousness of this moment demands that all elected representatives be able to address these critical issues without further delay.

Recognize the State of Palestine immediately. This is a crucial step towards ensuring a two-state solution that could lead to peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Immediately increase funding and provide further technical and political support to the International Criminal Court and its staff.

Immediately increase Canadian foreign assistance, along with likeminded donors, to temporarily fill the gap created by Trump’s freeze on foreign aid.

Prime Minister, we have spoken with many constituents and Canadian experts who are deeply affected by these decisions by President Trump and who seek Canadian leadership on international law. Given President Trump’s threats to international stability, international law, and our own sovereignty, we cannot afford to sit idly by. Please take the above actions today.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We demand that your government act decisively in the face of these violations and take meaningful steps to address this crisis.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Mathyssen, MP
London-Fanshawe

Heather McPherson, MP

Edmonton-Strathcona

Charlie Angus, MP

Timmins-James Bay

Carol Hughes, MP

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Lauren Collins, MP

Victoria

Bonita Zarillo, MP

Port Moody-Coquitlam

Jenny Kwan, MP

Vancouver East

Matthew Green, MP

Hamilton Centre

Don Davies, MP

Vancouver-Kingsway

Alistair MacGregor, MP

Cowichan-Malahat-Langford

Alexandre Boulerice, MP

Rosemont- La Petite Patrie

Leah Gazan, MP

Winnipeg Centre

Rachel Blaney, MP

North Island-Powell River

Blake Desjarlais, MP

Edmonton-Griesbach

Brian Masse, MP

Windsor West

Lisa Marie Barron, MP

Nanaimo-Ladysmith

Peter Julian, MP

New Westminster-Burnaby

Gord Johns, MP

Courtenay-Alberni

Taylor Bachrach, MP

Skeena-Bulkley Valley