The leader of the Green Party of Quebec, Alex Tyrrell, has strongly condemned the new military escalation in the Middle East launched by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Canada of blindly supporting a war logic that risks, in his view, plunging the region — and the world — into a prolonged conflict.
“The future of Iran should be decided by the people who live in Iran. They do not need American or Israeli bombs to bring about change,” he stated.
Recycling the “Regime Change” Narrative
For Tyrrell, the argument that Western strikes aim to “liberate” the Iranian people follows a familiar script. He draws a direct parallel with Iraq and Afghanistan, where military interventions were justified in the name of democracy and human rights.
“It’s exactly the same cassette they played for the war in Iraq, which lasted more than 20 years. It’s the same thing in Afghanistan.”
According to him, the idea that bombing campaigns can serve the interests of civilian populations is nonsensical. Recent history, he argues, shows instead that such interventions produce chronic instability, radicalization, and massive civilian casualties. He warned that a war in Iran could last a decade or more, with unpredictable consequences.
Canada “Without a Moral Compass”
Beyond criticizing the United States and Israel, Tyrrell directed sharp criticism at the Canadian government led by Mark Carney. He recalled that the prime minister had stated in Davos that middle powers must unite to counterbalance U.S. influence.
Yet, according to Tyrrell, reality shows the opposite.
“Canada is behaving like the 51st state,” he said, denouncing what he considers systematic alignment with American foreign policy — whether in Iran, Venezuela, or Cuba.
He accuses Ottawa of supporting military strikes while avoiding meaningful criticism of Washington, out of fear of political or economic repercussions. This posture, he argues, weakens Canada’s international credibility and increases risks for Canadians abroad.
A Consistent Critique of Interventionism
Tyrrell situates his position within a broader opposition to Western interventionism. He points to Canada’s support for regime change efforts in Venezuela and its compliance with U.S.-led blockade policies against Cuba.
For him, these cases demonstrate a pattern: Canadian diplomacy subordinated to American geopolitical interests.
He argues that Canada should act as an independent actor promoting de-escalation and negotiation, rather than serving as an automatic partner in U.S. and Israeli military offensives.
A Fracture Within the Green Movement
Tyrrell’s remarks also highlight an ideological divergence within the broader Green movement in Canada. He criticized federal Green leader Elizabeth May for condemning U.S. actions without issuing equivalent criticism of Israel.
“The Greens should be an anti-war voice,” he said, calling it deplorable to place blame solely on Washington while avoiding denunciation of the Israeli government’s role.
This position underscores a persistent tension between a strictly anti-militarist approach and a more selective posture in criticizing the actors involved.
Call for De-escalation
Tyrrell concluded by calling for an immediate halt to the bombings and a return to diplomatic negotiations. He argued that the strikes occurred at a moment when Iranian concessions were under discussion, thereby undermining the credibility of the diplomatic process.
“This war could last for years. The people have no interest in this war — not in Iran, not in Canada, not in the United States.”
For the leader of the Green Party of Quebec, the solution lies not in military escalation but in recognizing the right of peoples to determine their own political future — free from foreign interference.
