Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is silhouetted as he speaks to the press during an announcement at Women’s College Hospital, in Toronto, Thursday, March 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won’t say whether Canada intends to restore funding to a UN relief agency operating in the Gaza Strip.
In response to reporters’ questions at a news conference today, Trudeau says he has no announcement to make and Canada will move forward thoughtfully.
He says ministers are in the Middle East right now working with partners in the region and discussing how Canada can help.
Sixteen countries paused payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency after Israel alleged that a dozen of the aid organization’s workers participated in the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7.
A senior government source told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that a final decision has not yet been made on restoring funding to the agency.
Canada’s discussions come after the European Union opted late last week to proceed with a partial delivery of its funding after reaching an agreement with the agency that includes allowing the EU to audit it.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2024.
