Canada joins minority in saying no to Palestinian statehood at UN
OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is using the podium at the United Nations General Assembly to blast the world body for its "regrettable decision" to allow a historic vote on Palestinian statehood.
Baird goes so far as to suggest Canada will take retaliatory measures against the Palestinians for forcing the statehood issue onto the world stage.
In his prepared remarks, the minister doesn't say what Canada might be contemplating.
One obvious option would be suspending Palestinian aid.
The vote is expected to give Palestinians the UN recognition they seek, leaving Canada, Israel and the United States opposed to a move they see as unhelpful to building peace in the Middle East.
U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the political divide are threatening to cut off aid if the Palestinians use their newfound status against Israel.
