NWT’s MLAs pass Israel-Hamas ceasefire motion

A Yellowknife citizens’ group that has held rallies supporting a ceasefire in Gaza welcomed a vote in which MLAs backed a related motion at the NWT legislature.

A non-binding motion passed on Thursday asks Premier RJ Simpson to write to the federal government calling for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the release of all hostages, unhindered access to humanitarian aid, and action to uphold Canada’s obligations under the Genocide Convention.

“Ultimately, we’re very encouraged and very thankful to all the members who voted in favour,” said Derek Lindman, a spokesperson for YK Citizens for Ceasefire.

Lindman was among about a dozen people from the group who gathered at the Legislative Assembly to watch as the vote took place. Great Slave MLA Kate Reid and Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan tabled and seconded the motion, respectively, in response to a YK Citizens for Ceasefire petition.

“When I first met with a Palestinian member of our community in Yellowknife late last year, he asked me why I was willing to take action – up to and including those that I have taken today. I told him first, because I’m a human being,” Reid said in an impassioned speech in support of the motion.

“What I think I was trying to say to him was that I can’t watch innocent people be harmed and not try to do something, even if it’s just donations to humanitarian aid or signing a petition.”

Reid described the motion as “highly emotional” and a “highly personal choice,” and said she would respect how other members chose to vote.

Morgan said many people in Canada are loathe to speak about the conflict out of fear of saying the wrong thing. But she said when people stay silent, extremists on both sides win.

“We can counter the extremists by speaking the language of human rights, by reminding everyone of the importance of humanitarian laws, by reminding everyone about our obligations under the Genocide Convention,” she said.

“It may just be words, but the simple act of speaking up when there’s so much pressure to be silent can be a profound act.”

Word changes

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins introduced changes to the motion before it was passed. Those amendments included wording designed to stress that Canadian aid should go directly to support humanitarian needs, and a section noting that Canada designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 2022.

Reid agreed that Hamas is a terrorist organization and stressed she didn’t want to debate that matter, nor the decades-long conflict.

“I simply want for the people of Gaza to be safe and not starving,” she said.

Morgan said she would support Hawkins’ wording change as it was factual, but was concerned at the potential inference that anyone who “expressed sympathy with the Palestinian people” also supports Hamas.

“I think it’s troubling that – even when people condemn violence on both sides and call for the release of hostages, and condemn all attacks against civilian populations – that if you focus your concern on the civilian population of Gaza, it still could be assumed that you would be supporting terrorism or Hamas, unless you state otherwise,” she said.

“Instead of approaching people with suspicion based on who they are or which group of people they are advocating to protect and support, I hope that we would listen to the stories and experiences and concerns of our fellow community members with compassion and open minds and open hearts.”

Lindman said YK Citizens for Ceasefire felt the change in wording related to humanitarian aid could suggest aid is being misappropriated.

“We feel very strongly that humanitarian aid is vital at this time – that Gazans are being starved on purpose through the withholding of aid,” he said.

Cabinet abstains, commits to response

Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers said he wrestled with whether or not to support the motion as he took issue with how it was worded.

“The language tries to simplify an incredibly complicated global reality,” he said.

“Rather than reduce polarization, this motion may exacerbate it.”

Rodgers concluded, however, he could neither abstain nor vote against a “motion of peace.”

Reid, Morgan, Hawkins and Rodgers were joined by fellow regular MLAs George Nerysoo, Kieron Testart, Julian Morse and Danny McNeely in supporting the motion as amended.

Earlier, when first asked to write to the federal government regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, Premier RJ Simpson had said he would “not wade into international affairs.”

Reid said the premier had since met with a member of the Palestinian diaspora in Yellowknife and she believed “he was deeply moved by those conversations.”

On Thursday, Simpson noted that Canada has called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and recently announced plans to start air-dropping aid into Gaza.

“All that said … I’m sure that gives little comfort to those who are still reeling from what is going on, who still can’t contact their family and who are hurting,” he said. “I do want them to know that I’m thinking about them.”

Simpson said cabinet would abstain from voting on the motion, but would provide a well-researched response within 120 days.

Regular MLAs Richard Edjericon, Sheryl Yakeleya and Jane Weyallon Armstrong also abstained from voting. Nobody opposed the motion.

Correction: March 1, 2024 – 8:58 MT. We originally quoted Shauna Morgan as discussing the “importance of humanitarian loss.” She actually said “humanitarian laws.”