Statement by Heather McPherson on the Government’s Rejection of Bill C-233 on Arms Exports

March 11, 2026

I am proud to have voted in support of Bill C-233, the No More Loopholes Act, which would have strengthened transparency and accountability for Canadian arms exports. I am deeply concerned that the Liberal government has once again chosen not to act to defend human rights or promote peace.

This bill, introduced by my colleague NDP MP Jenny Kwan, would have closed a major gap in Canada’s arms export system. It would have ensured that all Canadian military exports, including those sent to the United States, are subject to proper oversight and reporting. This change would have brought Canada in line with our international obligations.

Instead of supporting this common-sense reform, the Liberal government has chosen to maintain a system that allows Canadian weapons to flow to the United States without adequate oversight. We already know that Canadian military goods have been used by ICE in operations that target vulnerable communities. We also know that weapons transferred through the United States have ended up in the hands of governments accused of serious human rights violations and war crimes, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, the government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy signals an intention to increase arms exports while weakening oversight. That means fewer human rights assessments and a greater risk that Canada becomes complicit in atrocities abroad.

I want to thank Jenny Kwan and her team for their principled and determined work on this bill. As Jenny has said, “regulatory oversight is not prohibition.” It is the bare minimum Canadians should expect from their government.

I also want to thank the organizations behind Arms Embargo Now and the many Canadians who spoke out in support of this legislation.

Canadians expect their government to stand up for human rights and the rule of law - not a government complicit in humans rights abuses and genocide. New Democrats will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and a foreign policy that reflects those values.