NDP defends Craig Sauvé, a candidate for Montréal by-election, against the Palestinian flag on a brochure
Sauvé, a Montréal city councillor, is running in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, formerly held by Liberal justice minister David Lametti, in the upcoming Sept. 16 byelection, which is expected to be highly competitive.
The NDP is rallying behind Montréal byelection candidate Craig Sauvé after he faced criticism for featuring a Palestinian flag on an election pamphlet.
The party issued a statement saying, "Craig Sauvé included a Maple Leaf on the leaflet in question, and frequently poses with the Canadian flag and Quebec flags — both of which he deeply loves and respects."
The statement continued, "It's ludicrous to suggest that when a politician is seen with another flag it's un-Canadian, whether that's the Ukrainian flag, Israeli flag, Palestinian flag, or other nations."
Sauvé, a Montréal city councillor, is running in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, formerly held by Liberal justice minister David Lametti, in the upcoming Sept. 16 byelection, which is expected to be highly competitive.
The pamphlet that has drawn criticism from Conservatives and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) features Sauvé with a Palestinian flag in the background.
The CIJA condemned the pamphlet as "a disgraceful attempt … to import a foreign conflict into Québec and Canada" and accused the party of "fueling antisemitism."
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman and other leading Conservatives shared an image of the pamphlet on X, questioning whether NDP leader Jagmeet Singh endorsed the pamphlet.
Since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of around 250, Israel's subsequent retaliatory strikes have reportedly killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The conflict has also displaced 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and caused widespread destruction in the area.
"The NDP has been crystal clear on our position in support of a ceasefire and the release of all hostages because we believe in protecting both Israeli and Palestinian lives," the NDP statement added.
The party drew parallels between Sauvé's pamphlet and images of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and former prime minister Stephen Harper appearing with flags from other nations, such as the Israeli, American, and Australian flags.
The images provided to CBC News by the NDP were not part of an election pamphlet but showed Harper and Poilievre at official events.
The Gaza conflict is becoming a significant issue in the LaSalle–Émard–Verdun byelection.
Recently, 52 Arab and Muslim staffers in the Liberal government issued a letter to "the leader of the Liberal Party," stating they would not participate in the byelection campaign to retain the seat.
The letter, obtained by CBC News, expressed, "while many of us started our political careers in elections as volunteers, we can no longer in good conscience campaign for a party that excludes us and our values."
