Ottawa speaks about international law and human rights only when it suits western geopolitical interests. The contrast between Canada’s response to Israel over the Gaza war, and Russia over the Ukraine conflict, highlights the government’s dangerous double standards, which come at the expense of the legitimacy of global norms.
This analysis, co-authored with Joseph Bouchard, of Canadian government statements on both conflicts shows a clear contrast. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Canada responded with moral certainty.
Justin Trudeau, then the prime minister, denounced it as illegal and unjustifiable. Ottawa rapidly imposed sanctions, and within two months of the war breaking out, the House of Commons unanimously declared that Russia was committing genocide.
By 2025, Canada had given Ukraine $22bn in aid, including $6.5bn in military assistance, while training upwards of 47,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel. This past May, Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that Ukraine’s fight is “our fight”.
Compare this to Canada’s response to Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Ottawa has long emphasised Israel’s right to self-defence, even as leading human rights organisations and UN experts have raised alarms about potential war crimes and genocide.
