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e-6808 (Foreign affairs)

E-petition
Initiated by Ahmed Tawfik from Vancouver, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • Canada acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019, committing to prevent the transfer of arms where there is a substantial risk they could be used in human rights abuses, war crimes, or crimes against humanity
  • A significant loophole in Canada’s export laws currently allows Canadian-made weapons, parts and components to be exported to the United States, from where they may be transferred to third countries engaged in armed conflict or with records of grave human rights violations
  • This loophole undermines Canada’s international commitments, risks making Canada complicit in human rights abuses abroad, and allows Canadian arms to be used in conflicts against civilians
  • International bodies including the UN Human Rights Council and independent UN experts have called on all states to halt arms transfers when there is a substantial risk of their use in violations of international humanitarian law
We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to enact legislation to close existing loopholes in Canada’s arms export laws, including removing exemptions for the United States, strengthening oversight, and ensuring that Canadian arms are never used to commit or facilitate human rights abuses.
Open for signature
September 23, 2025, at 12:24 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
January 21, 2026, at 12:24 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East)
February 25, 2026 (Petition No. 451-00534)
Photo - Jenny Kwan
Vancouver East
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia