SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty describes the Liberal party as a “big tent” amid emerging divisions over its support for U.S. strikes on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom he calls a “force for evil.”
McGuinty accompanied Prime Minister Mark Carney on the Australian leg of a trip to India, Australia, and Japan aimed at attracting new investments. Carney plans to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has voiced support for the strikes.
Canada’s Position on the Strikes
The U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran surfaced early in Carney’s trip. The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement affirming Canada’s support for the action to “prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”
Regional violence has intensified since, with Iran retaliating. “The prime minister was very clear in his statement that he supported the incursion led by the United States and Israel,” McGuinty told reporters in downtown Sydney. “But I want to make it very clear Canada and Canada’s armed forces were not involved in preparation nor the execution of that particular decision by the Israelis and the Americans to attack Iran.”
Iranian state media reports confirm Khamenei’s death in the weekend strikes. Israel notes other senior Iranian officials perished, while U.S. President Donald Trump advocates regime change.
McGuinty’s Assessment of Khamenei
When asked if Khamenei’s death benefits the region, McGuinty replied, “Ayatollah Khamenei has been for many, many decades, a very, very powerful force for evil in Iran and in the region.” He cited Iranian funding of proxies and involvement in organized crime.
“We know what’s been happening, and so at this stage, let’s hope that cooler heads prevail. Let’s hope that things calm down,” McGuinty added.
Push for Diplomacy and Party Divisions
Like Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, McGuinty stresses Canada’s preference for diplomatic resolution and a ceasefire. “We would all rather see peaceful dialogue, but we have a situation now where two countries, two sovereign countries, have decided to prosecute a war. Canada is not involved in that war at this time,” he said, referring to the U.S. and Israel.
Canadian military personnel in the region remain unharmed, with close monitoring ongoing.
Dissent arises within the Liberals. MP Will Greaves, representing Victoria, posted on social media opposing Canada’s stance, stating it cannot “endorse the unilateral and illegal use of military force, the killing of civilians, or the kidnap and assassination of foreign heads of government.”
Former Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy criticized Carney’s support in an opinion piece, questioning the legality of the U.S. actions.
“The Liberal Party of Canada is a big tent,” McGuinty responded. “There’s room for all kinds of competing views. I think it reflects Canadian society. That’s a good thing. We’re having dialogue, we’re having debate. It’s open, it’s transparent. We’ll find our way forward.”
Carney’s Trip and Bilateral Ties
Carney has not yet fielded questions from Canadian journalists on Iran. He holds his first news conference Wednesday, his first in seven days.
The government eyes defence collaboration with Australia, a Five Eyes ally. Critical minerals also feature in potential partnerships. Officials highlight the trip’s role in strengthening ties with like-minded partners to diversify Canada’s economy. Carney will address Australia’s Parliament, following Stephen Harper as the last Canadian PM to do so.
“It’s never too late,” McGuinty noted. “There’s a new openness here in Australia to work with Canada.”
