Mark Carney says he’s not ready to join France in declaring a Palestinian state

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/04/2025 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRAMPTON – Liberal Leader Mark Carney says he’s not ready to follow France’s example after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Paris could recognize a Palestinian state as early as June.

Carney says if he wins the election later this month, his government will support a “two-state solution” with a “free and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside an Israeli state which lives in peace and security.”

But he says those conditions “unfortunately” do not exist at the moment.

Carney made the remarks at a press conference Thursday as his election campaign tour passed through Brampton, Ont.

France is an influential Western voice on the international stage — one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council — and has long supported a two-state solution following a negotiated settlement.

Carney says the question of whether the situation in Palestine constitutes a “genocide” is still in front of the International Court of Justice and he will “never” politicize the word genocide or the war in Gaza.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Election Extra

During Elections

Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during civic, provincial and federal elections.

Sign up for Election Extra

Sign Up

I consent to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies.

I consent to CASL agreement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025.

— With files from Dylan Robertson in Brampton and Kyle Duggan in Ottawa