Opposition parties call for clarity from government as MPs debate Iran war

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney was absent from a debate on the U.S.-Israel war on Iran as opposition parties continued to question the government’s position on the conflict.

Speaking in the House of Commons Monday night in front of a few dozen MPs, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada condemns attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and that international law must be respected by all parties.

“The focus must be on rapid de-escalation,” the minister said in her opening remarks at the debate, adding that the government’s top priority is ensuring the safety of Canadians abroad.

Anand reaffirmed that Canada wasn’t consulted ahead of recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, and that the government has “no intention of joining them.”

“At the same time, Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and grow its arsenal of missiles that represent a serious threat to international peace and security,” said Anand.

The Prime Minister’s Office said earlier Monday that Carney wouldn’t be present for the debate, as opposition parties from across the political spectrum demanded the Liberal government clarify its position on the war.

Carney has come in for criticism over a series of shifting statements he has made about the war since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

Some of his own Liberal caucus members publicly expressed unease after he released a statement in support of the airstrikes the day they began.

Carney stepped back from that position days later by stating the airstrikes likely violate international law, insisting he expressed support for the mission “with regret” and calling for a diplomatic end to the conflict.

In Australia last Wednesday, Carney said while the prospect of Canadian participation in the conflict was a “fundamental hypothetical,” he could not “categorically rule out participation,” especially if allies call for help.

At the Monday night debate, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said it’s in the national interest for the regime in Iran to be removed and replaced with a democratically elected government.

“We need strong leadership that takes a stand, maintains that stand, stays consistent at home and abroad and shows up in this House of Commons to do what is right and speak for the Canadian people,” said Poilievre.

Poilievre also said he supported Carney’s initial support of the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes but that the prime minister has since “flipped and flopped more than four times.”

“His party says one thing to one group and the opposite to another, confusing our allies and dividing Canadians,” said Poilievre. “Now he has gone into hiding, having failed to speak a single word in tonight’s debate. In this time of crisis, Canadians deserve to know where the prime minister stands.”

The Conservative leader has urged the government to focus on what it can control and said Parliament should be able to assess any request for Canadian participation in the conflict. The Conservatives also have called for an emergency debate on how the conflict is affecting global energy supplies.

“Here at home, this war should not be used as an excuse for higher food and gas prices. We have the energy here at home, we have the food here at home to make life affordable,” Poilievre said earlier Monday.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said at the debate that all Canadian Armed Forces personnel in the region are safe and accounted for.

During times of crisis, McGuinty said Canada doesn’t join conflicts without consultation or request. The minister also said protecting all personnel deployed abroad and citizens in affected regions is the priority.

McGuinty said Canada supports its partners and promotes stability through diplomacy and adherence to international law.

“These principles guide our actions today,” he said.

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, the Bloc Québécois member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean, said in French Monday night that the government “can’t just say one thing and the opposite.”

He questioned how Carney could support the American military offensive on Day 1, while also urging the need to defend international law.

Bloc Québécois House leader Christine Normandin said earlier in the day that Carney’s decision not to join the debate follows a pattern her party has observed throughout his first year in office — “a disinterest, at best, for parliamentary work and for answering questions and for accountability.”

NDP interim leader Don Davies has slammed the government’s communications on the war as “unprincipled, contradictory and incoherent” and said Carney’s decision to skip the debate was unacceptable.

“Canadians deserve to have a clear statement from the prime minister in this House, to be accountable not only to parliamentarians but to the Canadian public, and to clarify what the position of Canada and his Liberal government really is,” Davies told reporters Monday.

He added the NDP believes there have been “numerous, repeated and continuing war crimes” in the conflict to date, citing the bombing of hospitals, desalination plants and schools in Iran.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2026.

— With files from Kyle Duggan and Catherine Morrison

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press