Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is accusing the Liberals of mixed messaging over the war in Gaza as video emerged of one candidate calling the crisis a “genocide” just days after leader Mark Carney clarified his own remarks.
Poilievre’s comments were in response to a reporter’s question which referenced, in part, a video of Liberal candidate Adam van Koeverden speaking at a mosque.
In the video posted by on X Saturday morning, van Koeverden — the incumbent MP in Burlington North-Milton West — can be seen saying he wants “everybody to know that our voices, your voices, will be strong in Ottawa, strong to condemn the genocide and end the genocide in Gaza.”
He also said that advocacy would continue to “make sure that the Palestinian voices are heard in Ottawa by our leaders and to make sure that Canada continues to stand strong for Palestinian safety and sovereignty.”
“The Jewish community feels understandably under siege as these hate marches and antisemitic outbursts have become an unfortunate part of Canadian life,” Poilievre said at a press conference in Ottawa Saturday morning.
“Frankly, the Liberals have encouraged these divisions. We see what they do. They say one thing to one group, and then exactly the opposite to another group.”
In March 2024, van Koeverden and nearly the entire Liberal caucus voted in favour of an NDP motion that called on the government to demand an immediate ceasefire, as well as for Hamas to release all hostages and lay down its arms.
The motion also called on the government to support the work of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, demanded unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza and encouraged international partners to work to pursue a comprehensive, lasting peace.
Van Koeverden is also listed as a candidate supporting “The Palestine Platform,” which calls for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, the recognition of a Palestinian state and proper funding for relief efforts in Gaza.
Thirteen other Liberal candidates are also listed as endorsers.
CBC News has reached out to the Liberal Party for a statement. Van Koeverden acknowledged the request for comment by CBC but has not provided one.
Carney clarifies arms embargo comment
The video of van Koeverden emerged days after Carney clarified a remark he made suggesting he agreed with the allegation that Israel’s military action in Gaza qualifies as a genocide.
While at a rally in Calgary, someone in the crowd — who did not appear on camera — shouted “Mr. Carney, there’s a genocide in Palestine!” as the Liberal leader was getting settled on the stage.
Carney replied: “I’m aware. That’s why we have an arms embargo,” before Liberal supporters drowned out the questioner by chanting the Liberal leader’s name.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, speaking from Calgary on Day 18 of the election campaign, is asked about his interaction with a protester at a recent rally who yelled, ‘there’s a genocide in Gaza’ and Carney responded, ‘I’m aware.’ Carney said it was noisy at the rally and that he ‘didn’t hear that word,’ referring to genocide.
Asked at Calgary campaign stop the following day to clarify his response, Carney said he did not hear the word “genocide” and was just “stating a fact in terms of the arms restrictions.”
“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said at the campaign stop, where he announced his energy plan.
“It’s noisy. If you’re up there, you hear snippets of what people, say and I heard Gaza. And my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reposted the video where Carney appeared to agree with the genocide allegation.
“Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney,” Netanyahu said.
“But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!”
Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible… https://t.co/27ZcXjew85
Israel’s military operation began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, Israel has reduced much of Gaza to ruins and killed more than 50,000 Palestinians in its effort to decimate Hamas, according to the enclave’s health authorities.
The federal government lists Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Poilievre, Carney promise to protect religious groups
Poilievre said Saturday that a Conservative government would bring in tougher laws to target “vandalism, hate marches that break laws [and] violent attacks based on ethnicity and religion.”
“Anyone who is here on a visitor visa who carries out lawbreaking will be deported from this country. And there will be very serious jail time — and on top of that, fines — for anyone who carries out antisemitic vandalism or property damage,” Poilievre added.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he will crack down on antisemitism and hate crimes by introducing tougher laws to target antisemitic vandalism, ethnic or religiously motivated attacks and by deporting any visitors to Canada who commit crime.
On Thursday, the Liberals announced they would introduce legislation making it a criminal offence to intentionally and willfully obstruct access to any place or worship, schools, and community centres.
The Liberals also plan to significantly increase the annual budget of the Canada Community Security Program in order to help protect vulnerable communities and places of worship.
