This afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to deliver an update in the House of Commons concerning the “ongoing situation in the Middle East.”
His updated schedule, previously marked with “private meetings” on Monday, now shows him addressing the House at 3:10 p.m. EDT, immediately following the question period.
Trudeau’s remarks are taking place as Parliament convenes for the first time since the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel and the subsequent retaliatory strikes.
It’s possible that opposition party leaders may also have an opportunity to speak following Trudeau’s address. Furthermore, later in the evening, Members of Parliament will engage in a take-note debate.
On Monday, a unanimous decision was reached by MPs to hold an extended debate focused on “the situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.”
This debate is expected to commence between 6:30 and 7 p.m. EDT within the House of Commons and is projected to last around four hours.
These special take-note debates provide a platform for parliamentarians from various political backgrounds and regions of the country to address significant national or international issues in a more comprehensive manner.
With the tragic confirmation of five Canadian casualties—Netta Epstein, 21; Shir Georgy, 22; Ben Mizrachi, 22; Alexandre Look, 33; and Adi Vital-Kaploun, 33— and the emergence of controversial pro-Palestinian protests in major cities, the events of the past week have left a profound impact on the nation.
Global Affairs Canada continues its efforts to gather more information regarding three other Canadians who remain missing. These efforts are part of the ongoing evacuation initiatives in Israel and the West Bank, while difficulties persist in establishing a humanitarian corridor in Gaza.