Carney Signals Conditional Support for Trump's Gaza Peace Initiative
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canada is willing to provide financial contributions to U.S. President Donald Trump's newly announced Gaza "Board of Peace," but only under specific conditions that ensure direct support for Palestinian welfare. The statement came during Carney's appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he addressed international leaders and journalists on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Financial Commitment with Strings Attached
During his remarks, Carney emphasized that any Canadian participation would require clear assurances that funding would reach Palestinians directly. "We would write cheques and deliver in kind to improve the welfare of the people of Palestine," Carney stated. "But we would want to see it delivered directly to those outcomes." This conditional approach reflects Canada's cautious stance on international peace initiatives, particularly those involving complex geopolitical dynamics.
The Prime Minister made these comments in response to questions from Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman, following a speech to hundreds of WEF attendees. Carney revealed that he has agreed in principle to accept Trump's invitation to join the board but stressed the need for more information about its governance and operational structure before making a final commitment.
Contradictory Signals Within Canadian Government
Interestingly, Carney's openness to financial contributions appears to conflict with statements from other members of his government. Earlier on Tuesday, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told reporters in Davos that Canada has no intention of paying to join Trump's board. Champagne acknowledged that many details remain unresolved but was firm in his position against financial contributions.
This internal disagreement highlights the complexity of Canada's decision-making process regarding the peace initiative. Champagne noted that "the prime minister will have to make the final decision when all the facts are known and all the details have been hammered out, whether this is in the best interest of Canada to be part of it."
Trump's Board of Peace Structure and Requirements
President Trump announced the formation of the Board of Peace on Friday as part of his 20-point plan to bring "lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity" to the Gaza region. The plan received endorsement from the United Nations Security Council in November through Resolution 2803.
The board will be chaired by Trump himself, with members including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair, and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Notably, Trump has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the board, though Champagne declined to comment on this potential development.
Membership comes with significant financial requirements: Trump intends to charge US$1 billion for permanent membership, while countries unwilling to pay this fee would be limited to three-year participation terms.
Humanitarian Concerns and Arctic Security
Carney connected Canada's potential participation in the peace board to broader humanitarian concerns, stating that "it needs to coincide with the immediate full flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza." He expressed frustration with current aid delivery challenges, noting "we are still not where we need to be."
The Prime Minister also used the Davos platform to address security concerns, condemning Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and identifying Russia as "without question" a threat to Canada and its allies in the Arctic. He described the Arctic threat as "more prospective than actual at this stage" but emphasized Canada's commitment to maintaining regional security.
As Canada navigates these complex international relationships and peace initiatives, Carney's conditional openness to Trump's Gaza Board of Peace represents a careful balancing act between diplomatic engagement and principled foreign policy.
