Close arms-export loopholes
Petitioners ask Parliament to pass Bill C-233 (No More Loopholes Act) to close Canada's arms-export loopholes, strengthen export oversight, and prevent Canadian arms from being transferred or used in human-rights abuses.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would close the export route through the United States that petitioners say lets Canadian-made arms reach countries with records of abuses.
- Stronger oversight could reduce the risk that Canadian arms are transferred or used to commit human-rights abuses, addressing Canada’s international obligations.
- It responds to UN and expert calls to halt transfers when there is substantial risk of humanitarian-law violations, aligning policy with international recommendations.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Tighter rules may impede legitimate defence trade and complicate transfers with close partners like the United States, affecting industry and interoperability.
- Verifying end-use and third-party transfers is complex and could impose significant administrative burdens and delays without fully eliminating diversion risks.
- The petition may overlap with existing export-control frameworks; targeted improvements or better enforcement might be more effective than broad new prohibitions.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons of Canada Whereas: • Canada is bound by international law to ensure its arms exports do not fuel atrocities and human rights violations; • A significant loophole in Canada's export laws currently allows Canadian-made weapons, parts and components to be exported to the United States, where they may be transferred to third countries engaged in armed conflict or with records of grave human rights violations; • This loophole undermines Canada's international commitments, risks making Canada complicit in human rights abuses abroad, and allows Canadian arms to be used in conflicts against civilians; • International bodies including the UN Human Rights Council and independent UN experts have called on all states to halt arms transfers when there is a substantial risk of their use in violations of international humanitarian law. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass into law Bill C-233, the No More Loopholes Act, to close existing loopholes in Canada's arms export laws, strengthening oversight, and ensure that Canadian arms are never used to commit or facilitate human rights abuses.
Government response
No government response is available yet.