NDP defends pro-Palestinian flyer from its candidate Craig Sauvé in Montreal

Photo: Ryan Remiorz The Canadian Press New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP candidate in LaSalle — Émard — Verdun, Craig Sauvé, in Montreal, September 6

The Canadian Press

Published yesterday at 2:37 p.m.

• Canada

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is defending its candidate in the federal by-election in Montreal after a campaign leaflet featuring the Palestinian flag and accusations of Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip drew criticism from political opponents and a Jewish organization.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs says NDP candidate Craig Sauvé’s flyer in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun stirs up anti-Semitism and shows the NDP has turned its back on the Canadian flag and Canadian values.

In the image posted online by the Jewish organization, a flyer shows Sauvé pictured against the backdrop of the Palestinian flag. A message urges voters to vote for him on Sept. 16 “to stop the genocide in Gaza.”

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The NDP responded by saying Sauvé “included a maple leaf on the flyer in question.” The party adds that since the beginning of the war with Israel, the NDP has always been very clear in its support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The party says Sauvé regularly poses with the Quebec and Canadian flags and adds that it is ridiculous to suggest that being seen with another country’s flag is an anti-Canadian gesture.

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Conservative politicians including Michelle Rempel Garner, also denounced the flyer, questioning why Mr. Sauvé was displaying a foreign flag instead of the Canadian maple leaf.

Asked about the leaflet Monday morning in Ottawa, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said the conflict required great caution and that his party was banking on preserving civilian lives.

“It requires a lot, a lot of dignity,” he said. “And before making political, electoral or ideological use of a symbol linked to that, I would be much more cautious and I would show more responsibility.”

Mr. Blanchet also added: “If we make a list of monsters, there will be [Benjamin] Netanyahu and Hamas.”