Canada’s first French‐language leaders’ debate of the 2025 federal election took place on April 16 in Montreal, featuring Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves‑François Blanchet. Moderated by Patrice Roy at Maison de Radio‑Canada under the auspices of the Leaders’ Debates Commission, the session tackled five themes: identity, sovereignty, immigration, and foreign affairs. As geopolitical tensions in Gaza rose, the debate pivoted sharply to Canada’s funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the risk of extremist infiltration.
Carney’s Humanitarian Stance
Mark Carney pledged that Canada would maintain its $100 million commitment to humanitarian aid in Gaza, emphasizing that UNRWA remains “the only agency” capable of delivering life‐saving assistance despite allegations of individual staff ties to Hamas. He urged an “immediate ceasefire” and the return of hostages as prerequisites for resuming orderly aid delivery to civilians caught in the conflict.
Poilievre Targets UNRWA
Pierre Poilievre asserted that the federal government “must cut funding to UNRWA,” accusing the agency of “using funds for Hamas” based on Israeli allegations that up to 12 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. He contended that Canada’s taxpayer dollars should not “support an organization linked to terrorism,” and vowed that a Conservative administration would audit and defund any foreign aid channels with extremist connections.
Singh Denounces Antisemitic Undertones
Jagmeet Singh strongly rebuked Poilievre’s remarks as “disgusting, unacceptable and hateful,” warning that conflating humanitarian relief with terrorism stokes antisemitism and undermines Canada’s moral leadership. Singh challenged Carney to label the mass civilian suffering in Gaza as “genocide,” a term Carney refused to invoke, insisting that politicizing humanitarian crises does not advance peace or justice.
Implications for Canada
The debate underscored a deep division in Canadian public opinion over the Israel‑Gaza conflict and the role of international aid. With less than two weeks before voting begins on April 28, parties must balance national security concerns with Canada’s commitment to human rights and international law. Analysts warn that whichever direction Ottawa takes on UNRWA funding and Gaza policy will reverberate through Canada’s diplomatic relationships and its standing as a defender of democratic values.