Canada was thrust into the spotlight this week when it was revealed that more than $60 million worth of munitions manufactured in the country would be part of a $20 billion arms sale to Israel by the United States. This revelation has raised serious concerns about Canada’s arms export regime, as it is required by law to ensure Canadian-made weapons are not used in suspected human rights violations abroad.
The sale of munitions to Israel is made possible through a special US-Canada trade relationship established in the 1950s called the Defence Production Sharing Agreement. Despite joining the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019, Canada maintains limited reporting requirements for arms sales to the US, leading to a lack of transparency in the process.
Canadian human rights advocates have long criticized this lack of oversight, describing it as a dangerous loophole in the arms export system. The recent news that a Quebec-based company would be the main contractor for the munitions destined for Israel has further underscored these concerns.
Calls for an arms embargo on Israel have been growing in Canada, particularly following a motion passed by Parliament urging a suspension of arms transfers to the country. However, questions remain about how existing permits for weapons exports to the US, which do not require specific permits, will be affected.
Canadian lawyers and rights advocates are demanding an end to Canadian weapons shipments to Israel, arguing that these arms are used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. They emphasize the need for Canada to hold both the US and Israel accountable for their role in the conflict, as the US continues to provide military assistance to Israel despite evidence of rights abuses against Palestinians.
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