NDP defends Montréal byelection candidate Craig Sauvé over Palestinian flag on pamphlet

The NDP is leaping to the defence of Montréal byelection candidate Craig Sauvé after he was criticized for using a Palestinian flag on an election pamphlet.

"Craig Sauvé included a Maple Leaf on the leaflet in question, and frequently poses with the Canadian flag and Quebec flags — both of which he deeply loves and respects," says a statement from the party. 

"It's ludicrous to suggest that when a politician is seen with another flag it's un-Canadian, whether that's the Ukrainian flag, Israeli flag, Palestinian flag or other nations."

Sauvé, a Montréal city councillor, is running in what's shaping up to be a tight race in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, formerly held by ex-justice minister David Lametti. The vote is set for Sept. 16.

The pamphlet, which has drawn criticism from the Conservatives and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), depicts Sauvé on the cover with a Palestinian flag flying behind him.

The CIJA said the move was "a disgraceful attempt … to import a foreign conflict into Québec and Canada" and accused the NDP of "fuelling antisemitism."

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman and other prominent Conservatives posted images of the pamphlet on X and asked NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to state whether he approved of the pamphlet.

Speaking in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described the NDP's use of the Palestinian flag as "radical."

"The radical NDP is once again dividing Canadians with incendiary and extremist rhetoric that puts the Jewish community at risk," he said.

Watch: Blanchet says parties should be "careful" about using Israel-Hamas conflict in upcoming byelection: 

Blanchet says parties should be "careful" about using Israel-Hamas conflict in upcoming byelection

3 months ago

Duration 0:48

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet responds to questions about NDP candidate Craig Sauvé appearing in a campaign pamphlet standing in front of a Palestinian flag. Blanchet says the NDP “can do whatever they want” but suggests bringing the issue up in a byelection is not a path he would take.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the NDP can "do whatever they want. People will make a choice." He also suggested bringing the issue up in a byelection is not a path he would take.

"I believe that civilians are dying and have been dying for months and months. And I would be very, very careful before making an electoral, political and ideological use of the issue," Blanchet said in Ottawa on Monday.

Gaza's impact on Lasalle–Émard–Verdun

Since war broke out in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 Israelis and saw some 250 abducted and taken to Gaza, Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

The conflict has also displaced 90 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million people from their homes and caused heavy destruction across the besieged territory.

"The NDP has been crystal clear on our position in support of a ceasefire and the release of all hostages because we believe in protecting both Israeli and Palestinian lives," the NDP statement continues. 

The party compared Sauvé's pamphlet with images of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and former prime minister Stephen Harper being photographed with flags from other countries, such as the Israeli flag, American flag and Australian flag. 

The images supplied to CBC News by the NDP in the response were not produced into an election pamphlet. They appeared to show Harper and Poilievre speaking or being photographed at official events.

The conflict in Gaza is proving to be an inflection point in Lasalle–Émard–Verdun. 

Recently, 52 Arab and Muslim staffers working in the Liberal government signed a letter addressed to "the leader of the Liberal Party" that says they will not participate in its byelection campaign to hold onto the seat. 

The letter obtained by CBC News warns that "while many of us started our political careers in elections as volunteers, we can no longer in good conscience campaign for a party that excludes us and our values."