The Liberal government and several hospitals have backed a plan to bring up to 100 child casualties of the Gaza war to Ontario for medical treatment if they are granted visas by Ottawa and can travel.

"We have a moral responsibility to, when asked, step up to provide what assistance we can,” Health Minister Eric Hoskins said Tuesday.

At least five hospitals have come forward in offering aid.

Hoskins has dealt for years with conflict zones "for better or worse” as a doctor and co-founder of War Child Canada, so he is familiar with what is playing out in Gaza. He is also confident a partnership with the federal government, an ardent critic of Gaza’s governing party Hamas, the hospitals and others can help the humanitarian crisis, “defray the costs” and maintain the level of care Ontarians are accustomed to.

The minister said they received a formal request for help from the Heal100Kids project, led by Palestinian physician Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. If successful, the initiative would transfer 100 wounded children, those stable enough to travel, from Gaza to one of Ontario’s medical centres.

Likewise, Premier Kathleen Wynne reaffirmed her government’s support for the medical help.

“Children who are suffering on either side of the conflict, we want to do what we can to help them,” she said at a photo-op with the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman. “And that's why we're working with the hospitals and Dr. A(buelaish) and his partners."

Yet in an interview with Queen’s Park Briefing, Hoskins clarified “it’s still early days” for the initiative.

“There are a number of partners that we need to make this happen and our work in the coming days will be to put all those pieces together,” he said.

One of those partners is the federal government, which is needed to prepare entry visas for the children who would be treated.

“It will take a little bit of time,” said Hoskins. “I’m confident the federal government can see there’s a role for them to play.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government, which refers to Hamas as a terrorist organization, has repeatedly stood up for Israel’s right to defend itself, citing the rocket attacks against its civilian population.

The press secretary for Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird confirmed discussions were happening, albeit squarely inspired by Hamas’ attacks.

“We’re consulting with our partners to determine how best we can provide assistance to victims of Hamas,” said Adam Hodge in an email. “Make no mistake, there is only one party responsible for the suffering of the Palestinian people, and that is the international terrorist group Hamas. Hamas’s reckless aggression continues to put Palestinian lives at risk by impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.”

Hoskins, meanwhile, said the province is not picking sides by offering assistance. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority - which runs the West Bank - would be required to help with Heal100Kids. Hoskins said Israel has already voiced support for the project.

The cost of transporting, lodging and treating the children and their families will depend on the number of people who come over and the extent of their injuries, Hoskins explained. He said the province can “accommodate” some of those costs and the added burden.

It's a familiar role for the health minister. His past work, “gives me a bit of sensitivity,” to the Gaza war, he said. “I think my background gives me an understanding of the reality on the ground.”

Ontario ready to help wounded children from Gaza

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