Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump speak before the FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington in December, 2025.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he has agreed in principle to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative because he wants to support the reconstruction of Gaza.
But he said many details, including financing, still need to be worked out.
The Board of Peace, first introduced alongside the Trump-brokered peace plan for Gaza, was authorized by the United Nations Security Council through 2027, with a mandate solely focused on the Gaza conflict.
But according to a copy of an invitation letter and draft charter for the board, the organization would be chaired for life by Mr. Trump and would start by addressing the Gaza conflict and then be expanded to deal with other conflicts.
The board’s focus on resolving conflicts globally has raised concerns that it could undermine the UN.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s joining U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace board for Gaza but details such as financing still need to be sorted out.
The Canadian Press
Speaking to media during a trade and investment promotion trip to the Gulf region country of Qatar, Mr. Carney told reporters that Mr. Trump approached him about joining the Board of Peace several weeks ago.
Mr. Carney said he agreed because he wants Canada to participate in the rebuilding of Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war.
“There is a humanitarian tragedy in Gaza that is ongoing and Canada will make every effort possible to address the situation,” alleviate the suffering and “ultimately move toward peace and a two-state solution,” he said.
Mr. Trump has reportedly said countries will need to pay US$1-billion each to have permanent seats on the board.
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The Prime Minister didn’t directly address the membership fee. “With respect to the specifics of the Board of Peace, we haven’t got all the details of the structure, how it’s going to work, what financing is for, et cetera,” Mr. Carney said. “And so, we will work through those in the coming days.”
A senior government source said Canada had not received a request to make a US$1-billion payment to the board. The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Mr. Carney said unrestricted aid flows to Gaza are a precondition for Canada’s participation.
A displaced Palestinian who lives amongst rubble and debris of homes and businesses destroyed by the Israeli military in over two years of military strikes on the Gaza Strip enclave, hangs out the laundry in Jabalia refugee camp on Saturday.OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP/Getty Images
“Canada wants money to have maximum impact,” he said. “Let me underscore one basic thing about the situation. We still do not have unimpeded aid flows, humanitarian aid flows, to the people of Gaza,” he said. “That is a precondition for moving forward on this.”
Invitations have been sent to about 60 countries, according to diplomats. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accepted an invitation to join the board, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto told state radio on Sunday.
Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, also has accepted, a foreign ministry statement said.
India has received an invitation, a senior government official with knowledge of the matter told Associated Press.
Along with Canada, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan have also said they were invited.
The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The inclusion of a “charter” in the invitation letter stoked concerns among some European governments that it could undermine the work of the United Nations, which Mr. Trump has accused of not supporting his efforts to end conflicts around the world.
In a line that appeared to be directed at the United Nations, the document added that there was a “need for a more nimble and effective international peace-building body.”
Last week, the White House announced the members of a new Palestinian committee to run Gaza’s day-to-day affairs, along with a board of international experts who will supervise these efforts. They include Marco Rubio, Mr. Trump’s Secretary of State; U.S. special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff; Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and foreign-policy adviser; and others with strong connections across the region and varying degrees of leverage with Israel and Hamas.
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The entire effort will be overseen by a founding Board of Peace.
Mr. Trump, who has expressed a desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize, said in the letter that the board would convene in the near future, adding: “This board will be one of a kind, there has never been anything like it!”
With reports from Reuters and Associated Press