A coordinated national day of action took place across Canada this week, including a local demonstration in Owen Sound, as just over a dozen supporters called for changes to federal arms-export laws.
Participants are urging Members of Parliament to support Bill C-233, also known as the No More Loopholes Act. Advocates say current Canadian rules allow many military goods and components to be exported to the United States without permits or public reporting, where they can later be integrated into weapons systems and re-exported elsewhere without Canadian oversight.
The proposed legislation would amend the Export and Import Permits Act to require human-rights risk assessments and oversight for all military exports, including those destined for the U.S.
In Owen Sound, local members of Neighbours 4 Palestine gathered outside the office of Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff as part of the national campaign, calling on him to support the bill ahead of an expected parliamentary vote later this month.
Local Organizer, Tamara Sargent says “One thing I really appreciate about Mr. Ruff is that he does listen to constituents. Now I know that his party, largely, is not supporting this bill but Mr. Ruff has said that he will listen to his constituents. We’ve given him a petition with over 600 signatures calling on just this so he knows his constituents want Canada to end its complacency in war crimes.”
The Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound was in Ottawa at the time of the protest and was unable to respond to Bayshore Broadcasting’s request for comment. Alex Ruff will join Claire McCormack as a guest on “The Open Line” on CFOS Thursday morning at 9am.