December 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada welcomes the end of the Assad regime in Syria, a regime that has inflicted decades of suffering on its own people. This event marks a significant turning point for the Syrian people, who have endured unimaginable hardship under the rule of Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad.

“Our hearts are with all Syrian people, including those who have embraced Canada as their new home, enriching our nation with their resilience, courage and contributions.

“For over 50 years, the Assad family’s brutal grip on power was marked by oppression, massacres and widespread violations of human rights. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed and millions displaced, both internally and abroad, as they fled relentless violence, including Bashar al-Assad’s horrific use of chemical weapons against civilians.

“As Syria turns the page on this dark chapter, the days, months and years ahead will be critical. It is our hope that the Syrian people will unite to forge an inclusive and sustainable future, one that uplifts all communities and paves the way for prosperity and peace for generations to come. This is an opportunity to rebuild a Syria where all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion or background, can live with dignity.

“Canada reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian people. We urge all parties to work toward an inclusive political process under the United Nations framework, to ensure lasting peace and stability. In this period of transition, we urge all parties to exercise restraint, abstain from further violence, and commit to the protection of human rights and the preservation of human dignity, fostering an environment conducive to dialogue and conflict resolution.

“We will collaborate with our partners throughout this transitional period to support the Syrian people. We remain committed to holding the Assad regime accountable before the International Court of Justice for the torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own people.

“The Embassy of Canada to Syria, in Damascus, suspended its operations in 2012. The ability of the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon, in Beirut, to provide consular and other support throughout Syria is extremely limited.

“Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre:

• by calling +1 613-996-8885
• by text message at +1 613-686-3658
• via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881
• by e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca  

“We urge all Canadians in Syria to check travel.gc.ca regularly for updates and to sign up with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service.”