Suspend Canada–Israel FTA
Petitioners ask Canada to suspend the Canada–Israel free trade agreement and sanction Israeli ministers who support the Gaza blockade until it ends. The government responds it supports aid, has issued sanctions and seeks diplomatic peace.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would use trade suspension and sanctions to pressure Israel to end the Gaza blockade and help restore humanitarian access, matching petitioners' aim for immediate relief.
- It would show Canada is acting on the Geneva Conventions and Rome Statute commitments cited in the petition, reinforcing accountability under international law.
- Concrete measures like an FTA suspension and sanctions provide leverage to deter further violations and protect Canada’s reputation for upholding human‑rights law.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Suspending the FTA and broad sanctions could damage diplomatic relations and reduce Canada’s ability to influence outcomes through negotiation and multilateral diplomacy.
- Sanctioning all current ministers who publicly supported the blockade may be legally and practically difficult, risking overbreadth or unintended escalation.
- Halting trade could disrupt channels for humanitarian cooperation; targeted multilateral measures might secure aid with less bilateral fallout.
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 Government of Canada The Israeli government’s blockade of food and medicines to Gaza has continued for more than 90 days since its commencement on 2 March 2025; According to the food security analysis released on 12 May 2025 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership, three quarters of Gaza’s population are currently at “Emergency” or “Catastrophic” food deprivation; Canada has ratified the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, giving these the force of law through the Geneva Conventions Act of 1964, which prohibits the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare; The starvation of civilians and other forms of collective punishment are also criminalized by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which Canada ratified on July 7, 2000; and The Government of Canada is the custodian of Canada’s reputation as a country which upholds international human rights laws, and has a duty towards Canadians to ensure this reputation is not diminished by Canada’s inaction in the face of grave breaches of the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute by other states. We, the undersigned, People of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Suspend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement until the Government of Canada has certitude that the Israeli government is no longer acting in violation of international laws with its deliberate blockade. 2. Impose sanctions on all members of the present Israeli government who have publicly expressed their support for the continued blockade.
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 the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and thanks the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye for their tireless mediation efforts. Canada calls on the parties to continue implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement. All hostages’ remains must be returned, the withdrawal of Israeli troops must be maintained, and immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid must be provided to the many people in dire need across Gaza. 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. Humanitarian needs in Gaza remain immense. Since October 2023, Canada has committed more than $400 million in international assistance in response to the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank. Canada continues to urge Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale and through a coordinated United Nations led system, and to put all possible measures in place to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers. We will continue to support our humanitarian partners to deliver crucial assistance for the civilian population. Canada has been clear, international law must be respected. On May 16, 2024, Canada introduced the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations. In June 2025, Canada issued its fourth round of sanctions under this regime, targeting Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for their role in inciting violence against Palestinians and facilitating the significant expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Canada wants to see a reconstructed Gaza, where Hamas can play no part, and ultimately a political pathway to a two-state solution. On September 21, 2025, Canada recognized the State of Palestine to preserve prospects for a two-state solution. The Government of Canada will intensify efforts to support the Palestinian Authority’s implementation of its reform agenda, so that it can provide effective and democratic governance for Palestinians. With our international partners, Canada supports the achievement of a comprehensive peace plan, democratic governance and clear security arrangements for Palestine, and the sustained, large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.