The Minister made a statement and, with Stefanie Beck, LGen Stephen Kelsey, Wendy Hadwen and Nancy Tremblay, answered questions.

At 9:19 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 9:23 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Stefanie Beck, LGen Stephen Kelsey, Wendy Hadwen and Nancy Tremblay answered questions.

Marie-France Lalonde gave notice of the following motion:

Given the reckless and dangerous comments of the Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, calling for potential strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the committee undertake a study of the law of armed conflict and Canada’s obligations under international law.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Lindsay Mathyssen gave notice of the following motion:

Given that: The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to change its actions to prevent the “real and imminent risk” of genocide; Given that the UN Human Rights Council called on all states to cease the sale and transfer of weapons to Israel immediately, or else risk complicity in war crimes or acts of genocide; Given that Parliament voted in March 2024 in support of the NDP’s motion to end arms transfers to Israel; Given Canada’s clear legal obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty against transferring weapons to another country if there is a probable risk they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law; Given that the government refusing to close loopholes that allow military goods and technology to be shipped from Canada to Israel via the United States through the Canada-U.S. Defence Production Sharing Agreement; And given that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defence have refused to give clear answers regarding the potential use of Canadian exports of military goods and technology in Israel’s horrific siege on Gaza:

1. That the Committee immediately order the production of:

(i) all relevant memoranda, briefing notes, e-mails, records of conversation, and all other related records from the offices of the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister’s Office related to arms transfers to Israel;

(ii) all relevant memoranda, briefing notes, e-mails, records of conversation, and all other related records from the offices of the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Privy Council Office, the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Prime Minister’s Office related to the $60 million deal to transfer Canadian-made M933A1 120mm High Explosive Mortar Cartridges and related equipment to the United States;

(iii) all relevant memoranda, briefing notes, e-mails, records of conversation, and all other related records from the offices of the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Privy Council Office the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Prime Minister’s Office related to analysis of Canada’s Arms Trade Treaty obligations, and

(iv) All legal analysis conducted by the Department of National Defence, the Department of Justice, ISED, Global Affairs Canada, and the Canadian Commercial Corporation on the impact of the U.S. – Canada Defence Production Sharing Agreement on our international law obligations.

(v)    all relevant memoranda, briefing notes, e-mails, records of conversation, and all other related records from the offices of the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister’s Office related to Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership;

2. That these documents be provided to the Committee within 60 days;

3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), upon receipt of these documents, the Committee undertake a study on Canada’s defence industry and our Arms Trade Treaty obligations; that the committee shall hold a minimum of 8 meetings for the duration of the study; and that the committee invite the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Industry, the CEO of the Canadian Commercial Corporation, along with relevant government officials, international law experts, researchers, and civil society organizations; and that the committee report its findings to the house.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.