Pro-Palestine protestors who previously gathered outside Yukon MP Brendan Hanley's office in January, 2024. CKRW File Photo.
Whitehorse, YT – A motion urging the City of Whitehorse to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza will not proceed following last night’s city council meeting.
Councillor Michelle Friesen brought forward a notice of motion on Tuesday, May 21st after she was inspired by the activism of others, which prompted a conversation about whether or not the motion is appropriate for the city council.
“I think it’s really important to just say, thank you, and to hold up all of the people who have been calling for action, and organizing protests since October. It’s really because of their work, and their advocacy that brought me to the decision to bring the motion forward,” Frisen said shortly before the council meeting. “I think I sat in silence for too long.”
The motion asked that Whitehorse Mayor Laura Cabott write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly expressing support for Palestinians, calling for an arms embargo on Israel, ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and demanding an end to the occupation.
The motion adds that there is a moral obligation to stand against, “genocide, illegal occupation, oppression, human rights violations and violence taking place in Gaza…”
Rick Carp, the President of the Jewish Cultural Society of the Yukon, argues Israel would end the conflict if Hamas released the remaining hostages, Israel should reserve the right to defend themselves and that, “everyone wants peace.”
City council revisited Councilor Kirk Cameron’s May 21st point of order that argued this motion violates several of the council’s policies and that the topic is too divisive.
“With this notice of motion and for this council having to be considering a matter of this magnitude, it goes in my estimation way beyond what we’re in the business of doing as a municipality,” said Cameron during his point of order.
In October 2023, Whitehorse City Council signed a proclamation entering Whitehorse into a sister city relationship with Chortkiv, Ukraine as the country keeps fighting against a Russian invasion. Friesen says she’s surprised her motion didn’t get the unanimous support that one had.
“I am surprised that we’re finding a difference in this instance, I haven’t quite understood what that difference is yet.”
The order was determined to be “well taken,” meaning the motion may not proceed. Friesen appealed the decision with the council voting 5-2 against her.
“People need to know that they are being represented, and their voice is being brought there and their priorities and issues that are important to them are being brought there, and that we’re discussing them,” said Friesen hours before the council meeting. “Maybe there isn’t always going to be a tangible action, but it deserves a conversation and it deserves the time.”
Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed after Israel launched their offensive into Gaza following an attack by Hamas militants that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 250 taken as hostages.
