N.W.T. MLAs call on premier to press Ottawa on Israel-Hamas ceasefire

N.W.T. MLAs voted Thursday on a motion to uphold human rights in Gaza. 

The motion, which is non-binding, calls on Premier R.J. Simpson to write a letter to the prime minister and foreign affairs minister calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, advocating for the release of hostages and for funding humanitarian aid in Gaza. 

The motion passed with eight MLAs voting in favour and 10 abstaining. 

Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan said that while some may see it as irrelevant to discuss the conflict in the Legislative Assembly, it's important to speak up for residents who are directly impacted by the conflict. 

"We have immigrants who have made their home here in the N.W.T. from many parts of the world, including Israel, Palestine and surrounding countries … and they want to be proud of their nationalities and cultures. And they want their family members over in the Middle East to be safe and their human rights to be recognized and protected," she said.

"It may just be words, but the simple act of speaking up when there is so much pressure to be silent can be a profound act of solidarity with our neighbours, our community members, even if the warmongering leaders never hear us." 

The premier said that the items in the letter are already being carried out by the federal government. He said Canada is already calling for a ceasefire, a release of hostages and access to relief in Gaza. 

Derek Lindman, spokesperson for YK Citizens for Ceasefire, said he disagrees that Canada is advocating for Gazans but said that regardless of the outcome, the group will continue to respectfully engage with the premier. 

"It means something that the legislature of the Northwest Territories has spoken up," he said.

The government has 120 days to provide a response to the motion.