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e-5084 (Social affairs and equality)

E-petition
Initiated by Christine Courchesne from Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

Whereas:
  • Israel is accused of committing war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity by several humanitarian bodies, is facing allegations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of committing genocide against Palestinians;
  • The July 19, 2024 ICJ ruled that Israel has no right to sovereignty of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and that other nations must “take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel”;
  • Canada, as a signatory of the ICC’s Rome Statute, prohibits aiding, abetting, or assisting in war crimes and crimes against humanity, and applies to both state actors and private individuals;
  • The Canadian Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (CAHWCA) considers every person who is “an accessory after the fact in relation to” genocide, a crime against humanity or a war crime “is guilty of an indictable offence”; and
  • The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) manages $539 billion for 21+ million Canadians. Despite requirements to ensure investments align with international and domestic law, at least 7% involve companies complicit in Israeli war crimes, and $870 million is invested in global weapons dealers.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to demand CPPIB divest from Israel and complicit companies to ensure compliance with the Rome Statute, the Canadian Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act and the International Court of Justices's ruling, specifically to:
1. Divest from WSP Global, an engineering company planning an Israeli railway into the West Bank;
2. Review portfolio for companies violating international law; and
3. Develop a transparent process to vet companies for such violations.
Open for signature
August 1, 2024, at 12:01 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
September 30, 2024, at 12:01 p.m. (EDT)
Photo - Jenica Atwin
Fredericton
Liberal Caucus
New Brunswick