Deliver Canadian aid via UN channels
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to reject militarized aid, require all Canadian aid to Gaza be delivered via UN-led humanitarian channels, restore UN/NGO access, allow safe entry for humanitarian personnel, and withhold funds from noncompliant actors. The government responds that it urges Israel to allow UN-led humanitarian access and has provided funding and measures.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would prioritize impartial, UN-led delivery and restore established humanitarian channels, likely increasing timely, large-scale assistance to civilians in Gaza.
- Withholding funds from actors that breach neutrality would pressure compliance with humanitarian principles and reduce the politicization of aid.
- Ensuring safe entry for Canadian and international humanitarian personnel could allow health and relief workers to reach civilians and maintain essential services.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Pressing to reroute aid could complicate diplomatic relations with Israel and partners, potentially reducing coordinated access solutions.
- Restricting funding based on compliance risks delaying urgent assistance if organizations cannot meet criteria quickly, worsening civilian suffering.
- Relying mainly on UN-led channels may be impractical if security or logistics block land routes; alternative delivery methods might be necessary.
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 IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled to the following: Whereas: Under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada is required to respect international humanitarian law; Under Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel as an occupying power must allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by impartial organizations; Canada's own international Assistance Accountability Act requires that all Canadian foreign aid uphold human rights and international legal standards; and Israel's policy and actions violate all of these obligations. Therefore, we, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Publicly and unequivocally reject the militarized aid model currently used in Palestine; 2. Demand the full restoration of access for UN agencies and established humanitarian NGOs, including UNRWA and the World Food Programme; 3. Insist on safe and immediate entry for Canadian healthcare workers and other international humanitarian personnel to Palestine; 4. Withhold Canadian funding from any entity or model that does not comply with principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity; 5. Ensure that all Canadian aid to Gaza is delivered through internationally recognized humanitarian channels.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada welcomes the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza being advanced by United States President Trump as a viable path for lasting peace and we stand ready to work with the United States and international partners to realize the full potential of this plan. The ceasefire on October 10, 2025, provides a critical opportunity to scale up humanitarian assistance. While the increased flows of aid are welcomed, Canada is concerned about the restrictions on aid delivery that remain in place. Through diplomatic channels and public statements, Canada continues to call on Israel to allow the rapid and unimpeded access of United Nations-led humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza, in line with obligation under International Humanitarian Law. Canada has unequivocally condemned Hamas’ brutal attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, the appalling loss of life and heinous acts of violence perpetrated. Canada mourns every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in the ensuing conflict and expresses condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Canada has and will continue to urge all parties to protect civilians, including medical and humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, and to ensure the continuity of medical services to the civilian population. Canada has been clear that all parties must fully adhere to international law. Canada remains horrified by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and are equally concerned about the worsening conditions in the West Bank. Canada continues to condemn the illegal expansion of settlements and the significant increase in settler violence, forcing ongoing displacement in the West Bank. This undermines our longstanding commitment to a two-state solution. The government has been vocal on all these messages and continues to take action. Recent examples include: On June 10, 2025, Canada announced sanctions and other measures targeting Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. These measures were taken in coordination with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, and are in response to the escalation of violence by Israeli extremist settlers and affiliates against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, contributing to insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis. Settlements violate international law and undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state and, of a just and lasting peace through a two-state solution. On August 21, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with Foreign Ministers from 24 countries, issued a public statement condemning the decision made by the Israeli Higher Planning Committee to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area, East of Jerusalem, and calling for its immediate reversal. Also on August 21, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with Foreign Ministers from 29 countries, issued a public statement calling on the government of Israel to authorize international Non-Governmental Organizations’ access to unblock essential humanitarian operations and facilitate safe, large-scale access for the United Nations, International Non-Governmental Organizations and other humanitarian partners. On October 13, 2025, the Prime Minister of Canada issued a statement following his participation in the Middle East Peace Summit in Egypt, outlining the need to build on progress with immediate and sustained action, including calling on Israel to allow the unimpeded, sustained and large-scale delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza as well as commitments to strengthening the Palestinian Authority’s reform and capacity-building efforts, enabling it to reassume governance responsibilities in Gaza. On November 12, 2025, Canada led on a G7 Leaders’ statement that reiterated support for United States President Trump’s Comprehensive Peace Plan and called for all parties to allow for unimpeded humanitarian assistance at scale, through the United Nations-led system. On November 26, 2025, Canada joined a joint statement calling on Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians in the West Bank in the face of rising settler violence. Canada has also taken significant action to support humanitarian relief in Palestine and to lay the foundations for long-term peace and stability by supporting the development of institutions and socio-economic conditions necessary for a viable two-state solution. Since October 7, 2023, Canada has committed more than $400 million in international assistance in response to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. This includes over $270 million in humanitarian assistance to experienced United Nation, Red Cross and non-government organisation partners with the necessary capacity on the ground to respond when access conditions allow. Canada has a robust system in place to ensure that our funds go only to organizations that alleviate suffering by respecting humanitarian principles, upholding human rights and respecting international humanitarian law. Examples include the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation, the Canadian Red Cross, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Canada is a longstanding supporter of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which plays a critical role assisting Palestinians, particularly with their experienced staff working in education and healthcare. On October 27, 2024, Canada led a statement with likeminded partner countries opposing Israel’s legislation against United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s operations. In August 2025, the Canadian Armed Forces conducted a humanitarian airdrop into Gaza, delivering nearly 10,000 kilograms of food aid. The Royal Jordanian Airforce also carried out several air drops of Canadian-funded aid. This was part of a coordinated international effort to address severe restrictions on land-based aid delivery. The Government of Canada recognizes that air drops cannot serve as a substitute to land-based delivery and air drops in no way change Canada’s position on the urgent need for large-scale land-based humanitarian aid deliveries into and throughout Gaza under the United Nation-led system. We continue to urge Israel to facilitate this and to put all measures possible in place to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers. On September 21, 2025, Canada announced its recognition of the State of Palestine as a necessary step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, in the face of ongoing efforts to undermine it. This decision was taken in concert with key allies, recognizing that there was no room for delay in coordinating international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life. Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine was predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitments to: implement much-needed reforms, including the commitments by President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance; hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part; not militarize the Palestinian state. Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future. Canada will also intensify efforts to support the Palestinian Authority’s implementation of its reform agenda so that it can deliver effective, democratic governance for Palestinians. On September 23, 2025, Canada announced over $47 million in new funding to strengthen economic resilience, judicial systems, governance structures, and democratization efforts in the West Bank and Gaza. Canada strongly supports United States, Egyptian, and Qatari efforts to bring an end to the war. Canada calls on the parties to fully uphold the ceasefire and engage constructively on subsequent phases of the peace plan. The crucial next steps are for Hamas to return all hostages’ remains as soon as possible and follow through on its commitment to transfer power, and for Israel to remain withdrawn behind agreed-upon lines and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. The Government has been clear that Hamas – a listed terrorist organization in Canada - must disarm and play no role in Palestine’s future governance. Canada has deployed civilian and military representatives to the Civil Military Coordination Center established to monitor the implementation the ceasefire and advance efforts under the comprehensive peace plan. Canadian officials will continue to work with counterparts to support the scale up of United Nations-led humanitarian assistance, in line with humanitarian principles. There is no military solution to this conflict—only a negotiated political solution will bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians. It is vital that the parties continue to engage constructively in negotiations to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, as stipulated in the United States’ plan. Preserving the prospects for peace and stability in the region must be our collective priority.