Disarm Hezbollah and restore Lebanese sovereignty
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to seek immediate disarmament of Hezbollah, end Iranian support to terrorist groups, and restore full Lebanese sovereignty under an elected government. The government responds that Canada supports UNSCR 1701 implementation, extended UNIFIL, training for Lebanese forces, sanctions on Iran, and welcomes Lebanon's Sept 2025 disarmament plan.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would seek to reduce Hezbollah’s armed capacity and Iranian influence, aiming to return authority over Lebanese territory to an elected government.
- It calls for ending external support that petitioners link to violence and mass displacement, which could improve security and prospects for civilians.
- It directs Canada to use diplomacy, sanctions and international law tools (including UNSCR 1701) to promote Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Disarmament and halting Iranian support depend on complex multilateral cooperation and foreign actors, so the petition’s goals may be difficult to achieve in practice.
- Pressure focused on disarmament risks escalation or a security vacuum that could harm civilians if local forces cannot immediately assume control.
- Prioritizing disarmament may sideline pragmatic measures like strengthening Lebanese governance, security capacity and sustained humanitarian assistance already pursued by partners.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that was started by Hezbollah on October 8th, 2023, has had terrible consequences for Lebanese people; including the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of at least 1.2 million people; Hezbollah is a terrorist Iranian regime proxy that acts to serve that regime's ideology and against the people of Lebanon; Hezbollah has refused to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by refusing to disarm and refusing to allow the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to take back control of Lebanese territory; and The Lebanese people want an end to the colonial domination of their territory by the Iranian regime. Therefore, we, the undersigned citizens and residents, call on the Government of Canada to: Seek the immediate disarmament of Hezbollah and the end of aid by the Iranian regime to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations; and Seek the restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, with all Lebanese territory governed by an elected, sovereign Lebanese government.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada has been, and will remain, a committed friend to Lebanon and its people. We have shared strong relations since diplomatic ties were established in 1954. Canada has consistently expressed its condemnation of Hezbollah’s attacks against Israel, including those which took place in October 2023, which have caused the displacement of over 50 000 Israelis, and over 1 million Lebanese people. Since the onset of the conflict, Canada has supported de-escalation and ceasefire efforts aimed at stabilizing the Blue Line and improving regional security. Following the establishment of a ceasefire on November 27, 2024, Canada has supported efforts to ensure the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties. This includes the full cessation of hostilities, extending the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate, and ensuring the delivery of economic and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate remains essential in assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in securing the southern region and facilitating humanitarian access and stability along the Blue Line. To this end, Canada welcomes the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate until December 2026, which provides additional time for a transition of all operational responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces - -the only state authority responsible for Lebanon’s security - by 2027. Since 2016, the Canadian Training and Assistance Team – Lebanon has provided Lebanon with specialized equipment donations and training. In this capacity, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained Lebanese Armed Forces personnel under the banner of Operation Impact. Training included combat first aid, civil-military co-operation, and winter warfare techniques. Canada has also donated non-lethal equipment and support vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces to enhance their capacity to secure and monitor border regions. Iran plays a significant destabilizing role in regional dynamics. This includes Iran’s ongoing support for Hezbollah, and other regional armed militant groups, including reported transfers of arms and financial assistance, which pose serious risks to Lebanon’s internal stability and broader regional security. To this end, Canada sanctioned the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in June 2024. We have also issued statements in both a national capacity and alongside partners - including within the G7 - condemning Iran’s destabilizing activities. Canada stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people and commends the new government’s stated commitment to advance reforms and address the legitimate aspirations of its citizens. Canada welcomes the Lebanese Government’s plan to disarm Hezbollah that was approved in September 2025 and welcomes ongoing efforts towards its implementation - recognizing that this is a necessary step toward lasting stability in Lebanon and the broader region.