Senator advocates for increased disclosure
Canada's policy on arms exports to Israel has been shrouded in controversy, with concerns over transparency and consistency arising from discrepancies between government statements and actual export data.
The federal government claims to have halted new permits for items that could be used in the Gaza conflict since January 2024. However, shipments have continued under hundreds of previously approved permits, which were not cancelled outright.
Data from the Israel Tax Authority and customs records reveal at least 391 shipments from October 2023 to June 2025, involving over 420,000 bullets, 735 cartridge parts, and sophisticated military equipment originating from multiple Canadian manufacturers and cities, particularly Montreal.
A large shipment of 175,000 military-grade bullets valued at over $369,000 was sent to Israel in early 2025, indicating ongoing arms transfers despite official government statements about a pause.
Critics argue that the Canadian government's use of words has been insufficient when it comes to the ongoing situation in Israel. They claim that the government's export permit regime has been used as a "communications ploy" to reassure the public without stopping arms exports effectively.
Canadian companies, such as General Dynamics in Montreal, have continued manufacturing and shipping weapons, including high-explosive mortar cartridges linked to U.S. shipments to Israel, even after pledges from ministers to block such sales.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand insists that no Canadian military equipment is used by the Israeli army in Gaza. However, a coalition of Palestinian rights defenders contends that evidence shows deadly Canadian arms continue to be regularly exported to Israel.
Yuen Pau Woo, a federal senator, is urging the Canadian government to be more transparent about arms exports to Israel. Some of the 30 suspended permits for arms exports to Israel have expired, according to Global Affairs Canada.
Parliament voted in favor of a non-binding motion in March 2024 calling for the suspension of new arms export permits to Israel. Despite this, the ongoing shipment of military goods under pre-existing permits raises questions about the government's commitment to transparency and consistency in its foreign policy.
References: [1] CBC News. (2024, March 31). Canada's arms exports to Israel: A closer look at the controversy. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-israel-arms-exports-1.6383221
[2] The Globe and Mail. (2025, May 15). Canada's arms exports to Israel: Ongoing controversy despite government claims. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadas-arms-exports-to-israel-ongoing-controversy-despite-government/
[3] The Toronto Star. (2024, April 10). Canada's arms exports to Israel: Questions remain over continued shipments. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2024/04/10/canadas-arms-exports-to-israel-questions-remain-over-continued-shipments.html
[4] The National Post. (2025, June 12). Canada's arms exports to Israel: A look at the controversy surrounding pre-existing permits. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canadas-arms-exports-to-israel-a-look-at-the-controversy-surrounding-pre-existing-permits
[5] CTV News. (2025, May 3). Large shipment of military-grade bullets sent to Israel despite government claims of a pause. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/large-shipment-of-military-grade-bullets-sent-to-israel-despite-government-claims-of-a-pause-1.6007889
- The ongoing controversy surrounding Canada's arms exports to Israel persists, despite parliamentary votes and federal government statements, as evidenced by continuous shipments of military goods from Canadian manufacturers, such as General Dynamics in Montreal.
- Critics argue that the Canadian government's policy-and-legislation on arms exports to Israel is questionable, with concerns about consistency and transparency, as hundreds of pre-existing permits have not been cancelled outright, allowing for the continued export of weapons, even after pledges to halt sales.
