OTTAWA — NDP MP Jenny Kwan is dismissing an internal Liberal caucus document as a "fearmongering" attempt to dissuade government MPs from supporting her bill to tighten oversight of defence-related exports.
"I think it's designed to confuse Liberal members, to be honest with you," Kwan said, describing the briefing document as "out-and-out disinformation."
The leaked caucus briefing document claims that the bill put forward by Kwan would "decimate" Canada's defence industry and "dismantle" defence sector trade with the U.S. — and even invite retaliation.
The document, obtained by The Canadian Press and Kwan herself, was circulated weeks ago and arms Liberal MPs with blunt talking points that call the legislation "misguided" and claim it would add red tape that would delay defence exports and "compromise our sovereignty."
The document suggests the legislation would hamper Canada's role in NATO, jeopardize the military's operational efficiency and even delay aid to Ukraine.
Kwan said she can easily rebut those claims when she lobbies MPs from other parties to support her bill — a mammoth task, given the current makeup of Parliament.
With just seven seats in the House of Commons following their dismal spring election results, the vastly outnumbered New Democrats would need sweeping cross-party support to advance the bill.
Kwan argues that her legislation is needed to strengthen arms oversight and keep Canadian-made military hardware out of the hands of governments which would use those weapons against civilian populations.
Her private member's bill C-233, which she's calling the "No More Loopholes Act," would add new oversight requirements to exports of parts and components, end permit-free access to the United States for military goods and require companies to obtain end-use certificates from foreign governments.
