NDP Rejects Criticism of Campaign Leaflet With Palestinian Flag

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and candidate Craig Sauve campaign, Sept. 6, 2024 in Montreal. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz

A candidate for the NDP in next week’s byelection in Montreal’s Lasalle–Émard–Verdun riding is campaigning with a leaflet displaying the Palestinian flag, a move criticized by Jewish groups and the Tories, and which the NDP is defending.

“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,” the NDP said in a statement to media.

The NDP leaflet shows its candidate Craig Sauvé with a Palestinian flag as a backdrop and text saying “I vote for Craig Sauvé to stop the genocide in Gaza.” Sauvé, a city of Montreal councillor, did not return a request for comment.

The party said Sauvé also included a Maple Leaf on the leaflet, adding he “frequently poses with the Canadian flag and Quebec flags — both of which he deeply loves and respects.” The Maple Leaf on the leaflet is part of the NDP logo.

The NDP has been outspoken about its support for Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Oct. 7 will mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas raid into Israel and the subsequent retaliation by the Israeli military in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

“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 party said in its media statement.

The byelection campaign leaflet was criticized by a Jewish advocacy group and federal Conservative MPs.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called it a “disgraceful attempt” to “import a foreign conflict into Québec and Canada.”

Montreal has seen a number of anti-Semitic attacks since Oct. 7 last year, with Jewish institutions such as schools being shot at and firebombed.

Tory MPs questioned on social media why the flyer’s design was approved.

“[Is] this NDP candidate running in Canada? Did the NDP not want to put a Canadian flag on their flyers? Did Jagmeet Singh sign off on this?” asked Tory House Leader Andrew Scheer on X.

The Lasalle–Émard–Verdun seat became vacant after former Liberal Justice Minister David Lametti left politics. The riding has been a Liberal stronghold since it was formed in 2015.

Poll modelling website 338Canada says the contest is a toss up between the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois. A Mainstreet Research poll puts the Bloc ahead with 32 percent of voter intentions. The Liberals trail with 23 percent and the NDP 19 percent.

This byelection will be closely watched after the June byelection caused a major upset for the Liberal Party. The Tories won the Liberal stronghold of Toronto-St.Paul’s by a small margin.

Results in Lasalle–Émard–Verdun will be a weathervane for Liberal support in Montreal, where the party holds the vast majority of ridings.

Another byelection will be held on Sept. 16, and this time the NDP will try to maintain its stronghold of Elmwood–Transcona in Winnipeg. The seat became vacant after NDP MP Daniel Blaikie left Ottawa to join Manitoba’s NDP government.