Ottawa has defended its permit-free process of sending arms and munitions to the United States publicly, while a review of the final destinations of these shipments was conducted by the Crown corporation overseeing international transfers, as per information acquired by CBC News. The assessment, obtained through an access to information request, has its main text heavily redacted, including the conclusions, while 288 out of 300 footnotes remain visible.
The footnotes prominently mention Israel and Palestine, with a significant focus on Gaza, U.S. arms shipments to Israel, and materials from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The assessment, titled “Human Rights Assessment–Indirect Transfers,” was authored by the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s internal human rights body on Dec. 6, 2024, and updated on March 24, 2025.
Among the disclosed information, an annex lists around 30 U.S. military contracts, primarily associated with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada, and a smaller company, Patriot Forge, based in Brantford, Ontario. While some contract details are redacted, CBC News confirmed 15 of these contracts through a publicly searchable database.
The assessment’s footnotes touch upon U.S. shipments to Israel, referencing various sources such as reports on arms transfers, International Criminal Court arrest warrants, and calls for an arms embargo on Israel by the UN’s special rapporteur. The report also outlines the corporation’s due diligence process and its continuous monitoring of transactions involving defense buyers and end users.
In a statement to CBC News, Global Affairs Canada refrained from providing specifics on the assessment, transactions, or officials involved but assured ongoing communication with relevant parties to ensure compliance with export control regulations. The government remains in contact with arms manufacturers over transfers, emphasizing the seriousness of any violations of the export control regime.
The assessment’s references to sections of Canada’s Access to Information Act highlight the sensitivity and confidentiality of the information contained. Meanwhile, a private member’s bill by NDP MP Jenny Kwan aims to address concerns about Canadian goods ending up in third countries after being sent to the U.S., with ongoing debates and differing views on the proposed legislation.