An NDP private member's bill that would have ended exemptions from Canada's export-control regime for weapons and ammunition destined for the U.S. failed to pass at the House of Commons on Wednesday, though it garnered the support of 15 Liberal MPs who sided against their government.
"One of the nice things in a democracy and especially in our government, we are able to vote our own conscience. So that's what led me to believe that was the right thing to do," said Liberal MP Gurbux Saini, who represents the British Columbia riding of Fleetwood-Port Kells.
Other Liberals who support the bill include Lori Idlout, who freshly crossed the floor from the NDP, and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault.
Patrick Weiler, Sameer Zuberi, Fares Al Soud, Sean Casey, Salma Zahid, Chi Nguyen, Greg Fergus, Iqra Khalid, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Aslam Rana, Kristina Tesser Derksen and Michael Coteau rounded out the list of Liberals who voted with the NDP.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also voted for the bill, and the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voted against it.
Twenty-three MPs did not vote, including 15 Liberals.
Prior to the vote, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the government opposed the bill.
"Canada has one of the strongest export-control regimes in the world," she said, "with human rights considerations applied to every single permit issued for military goods.
"The changes proposed in this bill would decimate Canada's defence industry, would weaken Canada's role in NATO and would jeopardize the capabilities of Canadian Armed Forces."
The bill's sponsor, NDP MP Jenny Kwan, challenged the government by pointing out how two former Liberal cabinet ministers, Allan Rock and Lloyd Axworthy, had recently come out in favour of her legislation.
"They said Parliament now faces a clear choice: maintain an outdated exemption that undermines Canada's credibility or adopt a modern, principled statement, that reflects our commitments and responsibilities," Kwan said.
"Will the prime minister be honest with reality and votes yes to Bill C-233?"
