Canada has been drawn into controversy following the news that a Canadian weapons company will be manufacturing over $60m worth of munitions as part of a $20bn arms sale to Israel by the United States. Critics in Canada are concerned about the lack of transparency in the country’s arms export regime, especially in light of Canada’s obligations under the UN Arms Trade Treaty to ensure that Canadian-made weapons are not used in human rights violations abroad.
The special US-Canada defence partnership, dating back to the 1950s, allows for the trade of military weapons and related components between the two countries. However, this partnership has raised concerns about the potential for Canadian-made weapons to end up in the hands of countries with poor human rights records, such as Israel.
Canadian human rights advocates have long decried the lack of transparency in Canada’s arms export controls, calling it a dangerous loophole that allows for the arms to be transferred without proper oversight. The recent revelation that a Quebec-based company will be supplying munitions to Israel has further fueled calls for stricter regulations on Canadian arms exports.
The news also comes at a time when Canada, like other Western countries, is facing pressure to impose an arms embargo on Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While the Canadian government has pledged not to authorize new permits for weapons exports to Israel, critics question why existing permits have not been revoked and how transfers to the US, which do not require permits, could still end up in Israel.
Overall, critics argue that Canada must hold both the US and Israel accountable for the use of Canadian-made weapons in human rights violations. As calls for accountability grow louder, it remains to be seen how Canada will navigate its role in the global arms trade and ensure that its weapons are not contributing to abuses against Palestinians.
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