Some Liberal MPs May Vote for New Bill to Stop Some Arms Exports to US

Up to 16 Liberal MPs may vote against their party on a bill about arms exports to the US. This is a big change from the government's usual position.
By Newsroom | Politics, Canada |

A significant bloc of Liberal Members of Parliament, potentially numbering up to sixteen, are reportedly contemplating support for an NDP-proposed bill aimed at restricting arms exports to the United States. This potential cross-party support, if realized, would represent a notable divergence from the governing party's official stance, marking the first such instance under Prime Minister Mark Carney's leadership.

The legislation, introduced by NDP MP Jenny Kwan, seeks to eliminate largely permit-free military exports from Canada to the U.S. Kwan asserts that the current system contains "loopholes" that permit these shipments to be rerouted to third countries.

Up to 16 Liberals considering support for NDP's arms-control legislation - 1

"The bill would close loopholes allowing those shipments to end up in a third country."

While four Liberal MPs have publicly declared their backing for Bill C-233, also known as the "No More Loopholes Act," unnamed Liberal MPs speaking to CBC News have corroborated the higher estimate of potential support. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday.

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Government Concerns

Government officials have voiced strong opposition to the bill. Karim Bardeesy, parliamentary secretary to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, argued that the legislation would "limit Canadian sovereignty at a time of great conflict" and suggested it would have no "meaningful difference on the conflicts that are of such justifiable concern to those who support the bill." Bardeesy further contended that the bill would not close a loophole but rather "blow up a critical defence and trade relationship with a NATO ally."

Up to 16 Liberals considering support for NDP's arms-control legislation - 2

The Conservative Party echoed these sentiments. MP Ziad Aboultaif stated the bill represents "an attempt to impose Canadian foreign policy on our closest ally, with those working for our defence industry paying the price." He warned of potential repercussions for the Canada-U.S. relationship and significant job losses within the Canadian defence sector.

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NDP Rebuttal

NDP MP Jenny Kwan has pushed back against these assertions, accusing the government of "fearmongering." She maintains her legislation is crucial for enhancing arms oversight and preventing Canadian-made military equipment from reaching governments that might misuse them against civilian populations.

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"Kwan argues that her legislation is needed to strengthen arms oversight and keep Canadian-made military hardware out of the hands of governments which would use those weapons against civilian populations."

The Liberal government, meanwhile, contends that Canada's adherence to the Arms Trade Treaty ensures transparency in its export controls and frames the alleged loophole as a deliberate aspect of trade policy.

Broader Context

This legislative push occurs against a backdrop of the government's stated objectives to strengthen the defence industrial base. Ottawa is reportedly aiming to meet NATO spending commitments, bolster the economy, diversify trade partners, and expand into the European defence market. Kwan's bill, however, challenges this agenda by seeking to introduce stricter controls on a significant trade relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why might some Liberal MPs vote for the NDP bill on arms exports to the US on Wednesday?
Around 16 Liberal MPs might vote for a new bill, called C-233, that wants to stop permit-free arms exports to the US. They believe the current rules have loopholes that let weapons go to other countries. The vote is happening on Wednesday.
Q: What does the NDP bill C-233 want to change about arms exports to the US?
The bill, known as the 'No More Loopholes Act', wants to end the system that allows many military exports from Canada to the US without special permits. The NDP says this helps stop Canadian weapons from being sent to other places where they could be misused.
Q: What is the government's reason for opposing the NDP bill on arms exports to the US?
The government says the bill would hurt Canada's ability to work with the US, a NATO ally, especially during difficult times. They also believe it would not help stop conflicts and could harm Canada's defence industry and jobs.
Q: What does the Conservative Party think about the NDP bill on arms exports to the US?
The Conservative Party also opposes the bill. They think it's an attempt to control US foreign policy and could hurt Canadian defence jobs. They warned of problems for the Canada-US relationship if the bill passes.
Q: How does the NDP respond to the government's concerns about the arms exports bill?
The NDP MP Jenny Kwan called the government's concerns 'fearmongering.' She believes her bill is important for better control over arms sales and to stop Canadian weapons from reaching countries that might use them against people.