U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new peace plan for Gaza, reigniting discussions on international diplomacy. Israel has expressed its support for the plan, while the global community is now awaiting Hamas's response. In a related development, Canada has recognized Palestinian statehood without imposing any conditions.

Recently, there have been calls for the Canadian government to designate the newly recognized state of Palestine as a supporter of terrorism. Advocates argue that if Canada aims to show moral clarity, it should label as terrorist organizations all groups involved in the October 7 attacks. This incident is described as a terrorist attack, characterized by the massacre of civilians, destruction of families, abduction of children, sexual assault of women, and the near-erasure of entire communities. It is noted that Hamas was not the sole perpetrator; the attack was a coordinated effort involving multiple factions in Gaza.

The United Kingdom’s “7 October Parliamentary Commission Report,” also known as the Roberts Report, details the involvement of various organizations alongside Hamas in these attacks. Canadian authorities are urged to review this report and consider applying their laws to those responsible for what is described as one of the worst acts of terrorism in modern history.

Canada has the authority to designate terrorist entities under its Criminal Code. This designation allows for the freezing of assets, prohibits financial institutions from providing services to these groups, and criminalizes any form of support or facilitation. Additionally, it can lead to the denial of entry to Canada for members of these organizations and the revocation of charitable status for groups that provide them support.

A comparison of the Roberts Report’s list of perpetrators from October 7 with Canada’s current list of designated terrorist entities reveals significant gaps. While Canada has designated Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), PFLP – General Command, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, which were central to the attacks, other groups identified in the report remain unlisted.

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) is one such group. Its National Resistance Brigades claimed involvement in the attacks, including the invasion of Kissufim and Kfar Aza, where Canadian citizens were killed. Although the DFLP was previously listed by the United States, it was delisted in the 1990s due to inactivity, but its recent actions suggest it is still active. Canada has never designated this group.

Another group, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), is noted for its strength in Gaza and its involvement in the October 7 attacks. Despite a history of violence, it has not been designated by Canada. The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, also identified in the Roberts Report, is another group that remains unlisted, despite its active participation in the attacks.

Lastly, the Al-Ansar Brigades, which also took part in the October 7 assault, is not on Canada’s list. While Canada has designated similar groups, the Gaza faction remains outside the law. These omissions highlight potential weaknesses in Canada’s counter-terrorism framework, raising questions about the effectiveness of its current designations and the need for a thorough review of its policies regarding terrorist organizations.