City council has passed a motion that will see a request sent to Premier R.J. Simpson asking him to write a letter to the federal government to call for a ceasefire between Isreal and Hamas.

The motion, which was moved by Coun. Cat McGurk, was part of three that were on the floor at councilSA国际影视传媒檚 regular meeting on Monday at city hall. The motionSA国际影视传媒檚 text reads as follows:

SA国际影视传媒淭hat the Mayor and Council request the Premier of the Northwest Territories to write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs M茅lanie Joly to request that the Federal Government call for an immediate ceasefire and halt to violence by both the state of Israel and Hamas; the restoration of basic services including food, water, power, fuel, communications, and medical services to the population of Gaza; the immediate release of all hostages; unhindered access for humanitarian aid for all those in need and to work to ensure the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians.SA国际影视传媒�

Council also passed a motion condemning SA国际影视传媒淪A国际影视传媒� all acts of antiSA国际影视传媒怱emitism, antiSA国际影视传媒怭alestinian racism and Islamophobia in our community, and will work to ensure our community is just, safe and welcoming for all.SA国际影视传媒�

What didnSA国际影视传媒檛 pass was a motion calling on Mayor Rebecca Alty to directly write a letter to both Trudeau and Joly to request the federal government call for a ceasefire. That vote was split down the middle with four councillors in favour and four against. Because there was no way to break the tie SA国际影视传媒� Alty was not present at the meeting, leaving an even number of votes SA国际影视传媒� the motion failed.

Several speakers also made presentations to council before the votes were taken.

Speaking in favour of the motions, Coun. Ben Hendriksen said this was an issue of human rights.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a human, I understand the need to respond defensively to the Oct. 7 attacks,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲hat happened on that day was horrific and must be acknowledged and must be condemned by absolutely everyone. But two months on, and with ever increasing civilian deaths, and with the complete annihilation of housing, health care and all infrastructure, which now makes Gaza largely uninhabitable, and with half the population confirmed by the United Nations as starving to death, I can only watch in horror at whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening.SA国际影视传媒�

McGurk said council received more than 100 different types of communications from residents on the issue and that the political responsibility rested on councilSA国际影视传媒檚 shoulders when the federal government stays silent.

Coun. Garett Cochrane, who voted against the motion to ask the mayor to write a letter, said he was doing so because it would be outside the citySA国际影视传媒檚 mandate.

SA国际影视传媒淚 see no prescribed authority within our by-laws or statute law that provides our city government the legitimacy to speak to the federal government directly on issues of international affairs or conflicts,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Deputy Mayor Stacie Arden-Smith, who chaired the meeting in place of Alty, also voted against the motion and cited Section 12 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, in part, as her reason, which states what mayor and council are bound to do.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 sure council can all agree that we are against racism, hate and the unnecessary killing of people,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗owever, foreign affairs are not within our municipal mandate.SA国际影视传媒�