March 4, 2026

Good afternoon,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the recent U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran.

I share your deep concern about the Liberal government’s disappointing response providing unconditional support to Donald Trump’s action. In our view, Canada should not be endorsing illegal wars of aggression, no matter who is initiating them. We should bear in mind that the Trump administration has threatened Canada’s sovereignty and standing up for a principled rules-based order is also in our best interest. Canadians also deserve full transparency about whether our military is involved.

New Democrats have been clear: these strikes constitute an unlawful use of force under the UN Charter, and they represent a dangerous escalation that risks igniting a wider regional war. We also note that these actions did not receive Congressional authorization either. Instead of standing up for diplomacy and international law, Prime Minister Carney instead has chosen to reverse Canada’s longstanding opposition to this kind of aggression. This is a profoundly troubling position, and it directly contradicts the vision Mr. Carney recently outlined in Davos.

As a middle power, Canada’s security depends on strong international norms that constrain great power militarism. We cannot condemn Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine one day and applaud illegal strikes by Netanyahu and Trump the next. Such inconsistency erodes our credibility and further undermines the rules-based international order.

You are right to question the government’s assertion that Canada is not participating. A former senior Canadian general has warned that Canadian Armed Forces members seconded to U.S. commands were very likely involved in some level of planning or coordination for the air strikes. If this is the case, it contradicts the Liberal government’s public assurances and raises serious concerns about Canadian complicity in violations of international law.

Other countries have taken a principled stance. Spain, notably, has explicitly refused to cooperate with or support the strikes, emphasizing that they lack UN authorization and pose unacceptable risks. In our view, Canada should be aligning itself with such positions, not enabling further escalation.

I strongly agree that Canadian personnel must not be placed in harm’s way or implicated in an illegal conflict. If our forces are assisting this operation in any capacity, they must be withdrawn immediately. Canada must end all military support contributing to these strikes and return to playing a constructive role by supporting diplomacy, advocating for de escalation, and working for long-term solutions based on dialogue and peace.

Thank you again for your message.

Sincerely,

Don

Don Davies, MP | député Vancouver Kingsway

Member of Parliament Vancouver Kingsway | Député Vancouver Kingsway

Leader New Democratic Party | chef du Nouveau Parti démocratique