“Think globally. Act locally” is a philosophy that highlights the impact that local actions have on our world. What we do here in Sarnia influences what happens far beyond our borders. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has determined that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, and the […]
“Think globally. Act locally” is a philosophy that highlights the impact that local actions have on our world. What we do here in Sarnia influences what happens far beyond our borders. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has determined that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, and the majority of Canadians agree.
According to domestic and international law Canada has the responsibility to do everything we can to stop the genocide. Instead, our government is exploiting loopholes in the Arms Trade Treaty to facilitate the sale of military material while continually denying that Canadian arms and equipment are reaching Israel.
Before the end of this month, Parliament will have the opportunity to rectify this when they vote for “The No More Loopholes Act,” MP Jenny Kwan’s Private Members Bill C-233. This Act will:
1. End the U.S exemption from the permit requirement for weapons sales that is currently imposed on all other countries. We know that much of the military material that flows through the U.S. ends up in Israel.
2. Will treat military parts as equivalent to weapons of war; e.g. The critical parts for the F35 fighter jets that Israel is using to bomb Gaza are supplied by Canadian companies.
3. Prevent our government from arming a genocide if it considers the risks to be mitigated as is currently permitted.
Our MP Marilyn Gladu intends to vote against this bill. How many times have we heard MP Gladu speak of respect for the rule of law? It is outrageous that the person representing us in Parliament would vote against a bill that demands Canada’s compliance with domestic and international law, enabling Canada’s complicity in genocide to continue.
NOW is the time to ACT! Let Marilyn Gladu know what you think of her abandoning the opportunity to do the right thing on our behalf. Please write, call and visit her office. Demand that she vote for “The No More Loopholes Act” MP Kwan’s Private Bill C-23 and the rights of the Palestinian people.
