NDP's U.S. arms-control bill fails, 15 Liberal MPs break rank with government

An NDP buck private member's banker's bill that would feature ended exemptions from Canada's export-control regime for weapons and ammo destined for the U.S. Failed to make it at the House of Commons on Wednesday, though it garnered the support of 15 Liberal MPs who sided against their government.

"One of the nice things in a democracy and especially in our government, we are able to vote our own conscience. So that's what led me to believe that was the right thing to do," said Liberal MP Gurbux Saini, who represents the British Columbia riding of Fleetwood-Port Kells. 

Other Liberals who support the bill include Lori Idlout, who freshly crossed the floor from the NDP, and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault. 

Patrick Weiler, Sameer Zuberi, Fares Al Soud, Sean Casey, Salma Zahid, Chi Nguyen, Greg Fergus, Iqra Khalid, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Aslam Rana, Kristina Tesser Derkssen and Michael Coteau rounded out the list of Liberals who voted with the NDP.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also voted for the bill, and the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voted against it.

Twenty-three MPs did not vote, including 15 Liberals.  

Prior to the vote, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the government opposed the bill.

"Canada has one of the strongest export-control regimes in the world," she said, "with human rights considerations applied to every single permit issued for military goods.

"The changes proposed in this bill would decimate Canada's defence industry, would weaken Canada's role in NATO and would jeopardize the capabilities of Canadian Armed Forces."

The bill's sponsor, NDP MP Jenny Kwan, challenged the government by pointing out how two former Liberal cabinet ministers, Allan Rock and Lloyd Axworthy, had recently come out in favour of her legislation.

"They said Parliament now faces a clear choice: maintain an outdated exemption that undermines Canada's credibility or adopt a modern, principled statement, that reflects our commitments and responsibilities," Kwan said.

"Will the prime minister be honest with reality and votes yes to Bill C-233?"

The vote marked the first time some Liberal MPs voted against the government's stated position under Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Canadian arms and ammunition can largely be shipped to the U.S. Permit-free, the NDP calling this a "loophole" allowing weaponry manufactured here to be diverted to foreign conflict zones such as Sudan or Israel.

The government says the exemption is a key component of Canada's defence partnership with its largest trading partner. 

Currently, manufacturers are directed by the Crown corporation that oversees international arms transfers to fill out due diligence questionnaires prior to shipments, which include questions about end buyers and users, representatives who can verify said use and concerns about human rights violations. 

That was more than a year after Canada had declared it was no longer issuing permits for exports to Israel, citing concerns over Gaza.

Senior reporter

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