Two former senior Liberal cabinet ministers have raised concerns over the federal government’s handling of arms export controls, urging the introduction of stronger safeguards to close regulatory gaps that they say undermine Canada’s international commitments. Lloyd Axworthy, former foreign affairs minister, and Allan Rock, former justice minister and ambassador to the United Nations, called on Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to take more decisive action following the defeat of a recent private member’s bill aimed at tightening export rules.

The legislation, introduced in September by NDP MP Jenny Kwan, sought to prevent a regulatory loophole allowing U.S. authorities to re-export Canadian military goods to countries that Canada otherwise restricts. The bill was prompted by Washington’s attempts to procure Canadian weapons for Israel, despite Canada’s existing ban on arms exports to that country amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. In March, the bill was defeated in the House of Commons, with support from a mix of Green Party members, some NDP MPs, and 15 Liberals, but the majority voted against it.

In a letter addressed to Minister Anand, Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Rock expressed their “deep concern” that Canada’s arms export control system fails to fully uphold obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty and risks damaging the country’s international credibility. They emphasized that Canada’s partnership with the United States should not exempt it from ensuring Canadian military items do not facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights laws. They also called for enhanced transparency, parliamentary oversight, and monitoring mechanisms to track the deployment of Canadian-made arms, especially in conflict zones such as Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, and Yemen.

Minister Anand responded by rejecting the assertion that a regulatory loophole exists. She argued that the bill’s proposed definition of military components was overly broad and not aligned with international standards, potentially including ordinary manufactured goods like nuts and bolts. She further stated that Canada already maintains one of the strongest export control regimes globally, incorporating human rights considerations into every military export permit. Anand also warned that the bill could have severely harmed Canadian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and threatened bilateral relations with key allies. The Conservative Party echoed this position, emphasizing the importance of supporting Canada’s defense and diplomatic partnerships.

Since early 2024, the federal government has restricted arms exports to Israel in response to its military operations in Gaza following a Hamas attack in late 2023. Initially, the ban was said to apply broadly to lethal arms, but later clarifications allowed sales if arms were deemed necessary for civilian defense purposes. Critics, including activists and some opposition politicians, have accused Ottawa of failing to enforce a comprehensive embargo on Israel and highlighted concerns over Canadian weapons being used in other conflict zones such as Yemen and Sudan.

Ms. Kwan welcomed the former ministers’ recommendations, stating that most Canadians would oppose the country’s complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. Meanwhile, Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Rock urged the government to review its arms export policies thoroughly and align them with international law regardless of parliamentary vote outcomes.

The debate underscores ongoing tensions between maintaining strong international alliances, particularly with the United States, and enforcing stringent ethical and legal standards for arms exports in an increasingly complex global security environment.