24.72°C Vancouver

Oct 24, 2023 7:20 PM -

Hamas is a threat to the world, it must be eliminated: Bill Blair

Share On
hamas-is-a-threat-to-the-world-it-must-be-eliminated-bill-blair
The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated."

Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire.

His comments are the furthest any Canadian minister has gone in explaining why Canada does not support calls for a ceasefire.

The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip.

More than one million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, and they face shortages of food, water and fuel.

European foreign ministers agreed Monday that a temporary halt to fighting was needed to get aid into Gaza and French President Emmanuel Macron is in Israel pushing for such a pause today.

Latest news

metro-vancouver-wildfire-triggers-evacuation-alert-as-fraser-canyon-residents-begin-returning-home
BCAug 06, 2026

Metro Vancouver wildfire triggers evacuation alert as Fraser Canyon residents begin returning home

An evacuation alert has been issued for 35 properties in the Village of Anmore after a wildfire burning in Belcarra Regional Park raised concerns about potential risk to nearby homes, according to local officials. The Village of Anmore said residents covered by the alert should prepare essential belongings and be ready to leave on short notice if conditions change. Acting Mayor Doug Richardson said municipal staff are working to support affected residents as needed. Elsewhere in British Columbia, some residents displaced by wildfires in the Fraser Canyon are beginning to return after evacuatio
poilievre-calls-on-carney-to-cancel-planned-september-gas-tax-increase
BCAug 06, 2026

Poilievre calls on Carney to cancel planned September gas tax increase

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel a planned federal gas tax increase scheduled for September, arguing Canadians cannot afford higher fuel costs amid ongoing economic pressures. Speaking at a news conference in St. John's on Thursday, Poilievre said the proposed increase would add 10 cents per litre to gasoline prices. He also urged the federal government to suspend all federal gas taxes for one year to provide relief to Canadian families. Poilievre claimed that suspending the federal gas tax would save motorists about 25 cents per litre, reduci
CanadaAug 06, 2026

Canada deported 3,323 Indian nationals in first half of 2026, CBSA data shows

Canada deported 3,323 Indian nationals during the first six months of 2026, according to data released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The figure has already reached about 88 per cent of the total number of Indian nationals removed in all of 2025, putting the country on pace to exceed last year's total. CBSA records show that 3,779 Indian nationals were deported in 2025. During the same January to June period in 2026, the United States deported 1,273 Indian nationals, while Canada's total removals of Indian citizens were more than double that figure. According to the CBSA's Remova
carney-says-canada-prepared-to-take-tougher-trade-stance-if-no-u-s-deal-by-aug-19
CanadaAug 06, 2026

Carney says Canada prepared to take tougher trade stance if no U.S. deal by Aug. 19

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is prepared to adopt a tougher position if a trade agreement with the United States is not reached before the Aug. 19 deadline, while emphasizing that negotiations remain the federal government's priority. Speaking at a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday, Carney said Canada has several options available for a potential response if talks fail. However, he ruled out using oil and natural gas exports as leverage in the negotiations. He said the government's objective is to eliminate all sector-specific U.S. tariffs, including those affecting the automot
BCAug 06, 2026

Man arrested after alleged assault, robbery and possible hate-motivated incident in Vancouver

A 44-year-old Vancouver man has been arrested following an investigation into an alleged assault, robbery and possible hate-motivated incident that occurred near Main Street and East 2nd Avenue, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incidents began at about 9 a.m. on Aug. 4 outside a fast-food restaurant, where the man was allegedly panhandling before security staff asked him to leave the property. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, the suspect allegedly threw a cup, pushed a security guard, made racist remarks targeting the guard's ethnicity and r

Related News