Ottawa mayoral candidate promises to raise Palestinian flag at city hall if elected

Ottawa mayoral candidate Neil Saravanamuttoo has declared that he will raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall if elected, framing the current situation in Gaza as a genocide. The economist, podcaster, and organizer made this pledge in a campaign video posted on social media.

Saravanamuttoo, who previously served as an economic advisor and co-founded the municipal governance nonprofit CitySHAPES, registered his candidacy for the upcoming October municipal election. In the video, filmed outside the Ottawa Palestinian Festival, he asserted that leaders have a responsibility to denounce injustice rather than remain silent. "As mayor, I will stand with those in our community who are suffering the grief of loss, the anguish of injustice," Saravanamuttoo stated. "That’s why, as mayor, I will raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall, as we do for other states."

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As mayor, I will stand with those in our community who are suffering the grief of loss, the anguish of injustice. That’s why, as mayor, I will raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall, as we do for other states.

He further elaborated on his stance, referencing a report by the UN's independent International Commission of Inquiry. "I’ve read the report of the UN’s independent International Commission of Inquiry, and I agree with the Commission’s findings that what’s happening in Gaza is a genocide," he said, adding that "70,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza, including 20,000 children."

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I’ve read the report of the UN’s independent International Commission of Inquiry, and I agree with the Commission’s findings that what’s happening in Gaza is a genocide.

Beyond his position on the Gaza conflict, Saravanamuttoo addressed broader community relations during his campaign launch. He pledged to stand against Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian discrimination, and antisemitism, promising an open-door policy and the use of his mayoral position to ensure no community feels unheard. In an interview with CTV News, Saravanamuttoo reiterated his preparedness to state that Gaza is a genocide, emphasizing that voters want to understand a candidate's values and whether they align with their own. He noted that community members have expressed concern about the conflict and feel that leaders have not adequately addressed the situation.

Saravanamuttoo's comments have drawn criticism. Richard Robertson, director of Research and Advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada, expressed deep distress over the candidate's statement, calling it a choice to make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a central issue in a municipal election.

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There are a lot of people that say this is just an injustice that is happening, and someone needs to stand up for this. We need to speak truth to power, and there’s been certainly a sense that leaders in Canada have not been articulating what we can all see to be the case.