Canada will staunchly back Israel against the Palestinian attempt to secure unilateral recognition. "We view this unilateral action on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to be not helpful,” This was the comment made by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a stop in Saskatoon.

Harper continued:“No unilateral actions like this are helpful in terms of establishing a long-run peace in the Middle East. Canada views the action as very regrettable and we will be opposing it at the United Nations.” The Canadian PM will arrive in New York to take part in the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, who will be accompanying Harper to New York, also stated Canada’s opposition to the Palestinian plan. Canada backs the two-state solution but only as a result of negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis rather than as an imposed plan.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press  Canada not only will support Israel but will take an active role in the lobbying. On Monday Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Liberman stopped in Ottawa on his way to the UN for talks with his Canadian counterpart, John Baird.

Liberman's 30-minute discussion with Baird dovetailed according to the Canadian foreign minister with the Canadian desire "to see a return to negotiations over unilateral action" that is being pursued by the Palestinians.