Demand Canada Ensure Canadian Weapons Never Fuel Atrocities in Sudan & Gaza

This week, as we all wept watching the horrifying scenes in Sudan, a new report from the CBC revealed that Canadian rifles have been found in the hands of militias accused of carrying out massacres in Sudan.

Of course, this is despite Canada’s public stance that it does not allow weapons export permits to Sudan.

The truth is simple: our weapons export system lacks traceability. Once Canadian-made weapons leave our borders, there is no way to know where they go. There is no way to know in whose hands they end up in. We've seen exactly the same concern being raised by many about Canadian weapons ending up in Gaza despite clear commitments from the Canadian government to end all weapons export permits to Gaza.

While Canada has said the right things about not authorizing exports to conflict zones, loopholes and opaque reporting continue to throw that commitment into jeopardy. The Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) must be amended to ensure full transparency and traceability for every weapon produced in this country.

Canadians deserve better.

Last month, MP Jenny Kwan tabled a Private Members Bill to close loopholes in Canada’s arms export laws, Bill C-233 would:

Apply export controls to all Canadian-made arms and technology;

Remove U.S. and other country-based exemptions from the Export Control List;

Mandate reports on where every Canadian weapon ends up. No exceptions;

Mandate annual reports to Parliament on Canada’s compliance with the Arms Trade Treaty.

Bill C-233 is expected to go into second reading in the coming week.

Send a letter today asking your Member of Parliament to support Bill C-233, and to urge the government to act now to ensure Canadian weapons never again fuel atrocities abroad.