Canada "intends" to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday.
The announcement marks a dramatic policy shift by the Canadian government, reports the Deutsche Welle.
Carney justified the decision saying that it was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
"Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," Carney said.
It follows similar moves by France and the UK in recent days.
Carney said Canada's recognition is predicated on the Palestinian Authority "holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state."
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Canada, along with the US, UK and the European Union.