National

Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Oct, 2023 09:51 AM

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated."

Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire.

His comments are the furthest any Canadian minister has gone in explaining why Canada does not support calls for a ceasefire.

The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip.

Since October 12, the @CanadianForces transported approximately 1,600 people out of Israel on 19 flights.

Canada continues to monitor the situation, and we are working tirelessly to help Canadians.

If you need urgent consular assistance, please contact sos@international.gc.ca
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 23, 2023

More than one million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and they face shortages of food, water and fuel.

European foreign ministers agreed Monday that a temporary halt to fighting was needed to get aid into Gaza and French President Emmanuel Macron is in Israel pushing for such a pause today.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Shortly after 4 p.m. on September 1, Richmond RCMP, responded to the area of Blundell Road near Minoru Boulevard after reports of a downed motorcyclist. The motorcycle operator, a 63-year old male from Richmond was located some distance away from his blue Honda. He received emergency care at the scene and was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Jeff Arnie Lincoln, 41, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced on August 30th, following a Vancouver Police investigation that began more than two years earlier, when Lincoln assaulted 60-year-old Gilles Hebert in Grandview Park, near Commercial Drive and Charles Street. Hebert was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries.

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Police say the explosion that destroyed a building in downtown Prince George, B.C., last month was likely caused by "unauthorized" people who broke into the property and were unaware of a natural-gas buildup inside. Prince George RCMP say fire investigators have determined there is evidence of copper pipe theft, causing damage to at least one natural gas line.

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

The Bank of Canada may have to raise interest rates further, given that inflation may stay high for some time, said governor Tiff Macklem Thursday. His speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce came one day after the central bank decided to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent as signs of an economic slowdown grow.

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada's rocky relations with China have stabilized, while telling business leaders in Singapore that Ottawa has committed to a timeline for trade deals with the region. Trudeau is undertaking a weeklong visit to Indonesia, Singapore and India with a focus on shoring up trade in a region Ottawa sees as key to counteracting coercive economic moves by China.

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government's proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax will generate an additional $2.6 billion in revenue over five years. The tax aims to ensure high-income earners and trusts don't pay disproportionately less in taxes than other taxpayers.