How Canada votes at the UN

Does Canada vote with the US at the UN?

Canada agreed with the United States much less in 2025 than before. The drop came from the United States side: in 2025 the United States voted no on 174 of 192 recorded votes. On 43 of those votes the United States was the only country voting no. Canada voted yes on 41 of those 43 and abstained on the other two. Canada's votes on Ukraine, climate and development did not change. Canada works most closely with Australia and New Zealand, a group known at the UN as CANZ.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said at Davos in January 2026: "Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu." In February 2025, on US television, Bob Rae, then Canada's ambassador to the UN (2020-2025), answered President Trump's remarks that Canada should become the 51st US state: "We're not the 51st state. We're a sovereign, independent country." Canada's ambassador to the UN since November 17, 2025 is David Lametti.

How did Canada's votes on Israel and Palestine change?

Canada moved from abstaining on a Gaza resolution in October 2023 to voting yes on the next one in December 2023. Canada abstained on the 2017 Jerusalem resolution. Adam Austin, spokesperson for Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, called it "one-sided." Canada abstained on the October 2023 Gaza truce text after its amendment condemning Hamas failed. In December 2023 Canada voted yes. Its explanation of vote said: "The ongoing humanitarian crisis has weighed heavily in Canada's decision to support this resolution." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a ceasefire "cannot be one-sided. We need to see Hamas lay down its arms."

Canada abstained on Palestine's membership bid in May 2024, saying it was "prepared to recognize the State of Palestine at the time most conducive to lasting peace." In June 2025 Canada voted yes on the ceasefire text. Its explanation said: "It is clear that Hamas must disarm and can have no role in Gaza's future governance."

Prime Minister Mark Carney recognized Palestine on September 21, 2025: "Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future." On July 30, 2025 he had tied recognition to the Palestinian Authority's "commitment to much-needed reforms."