While the Liberals claim to have cancelled permits for weapons bound for Israel, a new report exposes that claim as a complete deception. The report, released by Arms Embargo Now, Palestinian Youth Movement, and others, uncovers a “U.S. Loophole,” which enables Canadian arms manufacturers to side-step permits, sending billions of dollars in arms, parts, and explosives through the United States to Israel.
Researchers revealed what they called a mere “fraction of Canada’s true complicity”. Some of the deadliest weapons dropped on Gaza—2,000-pound bombs and 150mm artillery shells—come from U.S. plants which are supplied by facilities in Quebec. In Ontario, Honeywell is the sole supplier for what Lockheed Martin calls the “heart and circulatory system” of the F-35s. In other words, the “heart” of one of the primary instruments of the genocide is made in Canada.
The authors of the report are supporting NDP MP Jenny Kwan’s Bill C-233, which aims to “close the loopholes.” Already, this bill is getting shot down by Parliament. Liberal MP Rob Oliphant complained that increasing regulations would put Canadian arms manufacturers at “competitive disadvantages,” and warned it would “strain relations with the U.S.” These are two things the capitalists cannot afford, as Carney spends billions on the military in an attempt to strike a deal with Trump.
In October, Italian dock workers showed the power of the working class by halting arms shipments. This is what’s needed in Canada. With Hot Cargo Kills resolutions recently passed at major union meetings in Ontario and Newfoundland, labour has taken a first step. But these promises must be concretized into a cross-country campaign.Carrying out an arms embargo will take mobilizing the power of the workers, not pleading for capitalist politicians to do the right thing.
