St. John’s city council passes resolution in support of Palestinians

On Tuesday the City of St. John’s passed a motion that compels the City to write a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the premier, and N.L. Members of Parliament and Senators expressing the City’s support for a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel and calling on the federal government to ease the visa process for Palestinians fleeing Israel’s war.

Coun. Maggie Burton brought the motion during her final meeting as a councillor. “While 99 per cent of municipal politics is about delivering municipal services, there is the other 1 per cent. As a democratic government, we do have a limited role in making symbolic statements on behalf of our community.”

She accused the Canadian government of contributing “arms towards the killing of children” in Gaza and maintaining policies that make it difficult for refugees to come to Canada.

The federal government has faced criticism for how complex and restrictive its visa process has been for those fleeing the war in Gaza, especially when compared to more accessible temporary programs for those escaping conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

For example, the temporary resident program for Palestinians is capped at 5,000 and limited to those with family already in Canada or those currently in Canada on temporary visas. By contrast, Ukrainians escaping Russia’s invasion were able to apply for a temporary visa without a cap or a sponsor in Canada.

The visa application process also required documentation that many argued was impossible or expensive to obtain while fleeing war, including passports and biometrics. Applicants were also asked to provide their work and residential history dating back to the age of 16.

As of March 6, 2025, the Canadian government said all available visa spaces had been filled and it is no longer accepting applications.

Coun. Ophelia Ravencroft—who, like Burton, sat in her last council meeting— said the resolution had her complete and unequivocal support. “After watching two years of children getting their heads blown off in Gaza, we are, frankly, well past the point,” Ravencroft said. “ I’d like to see more bodies like ours speaking up about things where we do have a degree of influence.” Ravencroft acknowledged the council does not have “universal influence” but noted it does have some ability to put pressure on the federal government.

“I think that what’s presented here is very measured, but I also think it’s extremely impactful,” she said, adding that “after two years of genocide, I’m not prepared to go further and not throw my voice into this one as well.” Ravencroft ended her statement by saying that an “actual” arms embargo that the federal government follows through on is “long overdue.”

The Canadian government halted the issuance of new military export permits to Israel in 2024. However, the Liberal government came under scrutiny following a report by several NGOs stating that Canadian goods, including components that can be integrated into military systems, continued to be shipped to Israel. The report mentions two companies with facilities in Mount Pearl, Gastops and Kraken, have supplied parts to Israel. The report does not provide details on whether the companies are still supplying goods or the extent of their involvement. 

“We as a country, frankly, could have done so much more over the last two years. If this is a small measure that can assist in that way, then I am very, very happy to lend my support,” Ravecroft said Tuesday afternoon.

Coun. Tom Davis said that during a visit to the West Bank and Jerusalem in 2020, he saw Palestinian children playing in the streets — a memory that has stayed with him. He expressed his support for the motion. 

Other municipalities have shown support

Several municipalities across the country have passed similar resolutions in support of Palestine. 

In August, the city council in Burnaby, B.C. passed a resolution calling for a two-way arms embargo. In November 2023, Burnaby’s council also passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and flow of aid to Gaza. 

As part of the Oct. 7 attacks, Hamas abducted 251 people from Israel. At present,  48 hostages are believed to still be held in Gaza. According to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, as of December 2024 Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinian detainees, including 113 children. Many Palestinian detainees in Israel, including children and activists, are held without any charge or trial.

In 2023, the Maple Ridge City Council in B.C. passed a motion calling for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and urged the federal government to take a leadership role in facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid. The Sherbrooke City Council in Quebec has also called for the flow of humanitarian aid and a ceasefire.

Palestine solidarity activists proud 

Elise Thorburn, a member of local Palestine solidarity group Palestine Action YYT, said she and her fellow activists are proud of the city council for representing what the community wants. “This is a testament to the organizing that we’ve done over the last two years in response to the genocide,” she said following Tuesday’s council meeting. “Our city and the people in our city have responded admirably and stood up and fought back.” 

Thorburn described Burton as a great ally to the movement calling for an end to Israel’s war in Gaza. She said Burton recognized the power all levels of government have to create change. “It’s just like a great way to wrap up her strong legacy of supporting the community over the last two terms in city council,” Thorburn said, adding that every level of government needs to “resist this genocide and support Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation.”

She added that she would like to see St. John’s end all contracts between the City and Israeli entities, stating that is how international actors helped in ending apartheid in South America.  “This is the way that the anti-apartheid movement was won, through campaigns of boycott, divestment, and sanctions.”

A mother of four, Burton’s voice quivered as she concluded her statement: “I have spent two years to the day watching mothers in Gaza grieving their dead children. If I don’t speak out about it today I think I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.

“We are watching children die, and that should affect us. Please do not get used to children’s deaths.”