EDITORIAL: Don’t blame Canada, blame the terrorists

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The desperate situation in Gaza has left Canadian citizens and those who have dual citizenship scrambling to get out.

As much as we sympathize with the plight of families trying to get to safety, some criticism levelled at the Canadian government is unfair.

Those with families trapped in Gaza have slammed the government for not doing enough to get their loved ones out. This is a chaotic situation with conditions far beyond the control of Canadian diplomats.

Gaza is controlled by a terrorist organization. Those people so quick to condemn Canada should turn their anger to the people who created the dire situation — Hamas.

There’s a war in Gaza and Canada isn’t one of the combatants.

This week, a number of Canadian citizens have trickled out through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. Their exit wasn’t slowed by this country, but by conditions on the ground. Canada has a responsibility to get its citizens to safety in emergencies. It doesn’t mean we can send our military to rescue stranded people. We can only use diplomatic means to exert pressure and Canada has precious little influence in the Middle East. If you choose to live in or visit strife-torn parts of the world, that’s a risk you take.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced last week that once Canadians cross into Egypt, our government will cover the cost of a bus to Cairo plus accommodations, meals, etc. The Canadian government will not pay for flights out of Egypt. Emergency loans will be made available to those who need them. Some have balked at that arrangement, saying Canada should pay for them to fly to Canada.

Again, if you choose to live outside Canada, you must be prepared to pay for your flight to this country. After all, you likely haven’t been paying taxes here. If you take a loan, be prepared to repay it. Your government has gotten you out of harm’s way. The rest is up to you.

Those saying Canada should push for a ceasefire should direct their anger elsewhere. There was a ceasefire but Hamas brutally broke it Oct. 7. Hamas could bring about a ceasefire by releasing Israeli hostages.

Put the blame where it belongs — on Hamas and the terrorists who started this horror.

Oh, and welcome home.