Canada prepares to join the Arms Trade Treaty

Canada believes that regulating the international arms trade is essential for the protection of people and human rights, and is strengthening its existing practices.

As part of Canada’s support for a stronger and more rigorous export control system, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered on the government’s commitment to introduce legislation so Canada can accede to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

...[ATT] ensures countries effectively regulate the international trade of arms, so they are not used to support terrorism, international organized crime, gender-based violence, human rights abuses, or violations of international humanitarian law.

To implement necessary changes, in March 2017 Canada announced an investment of $13 million to further strengthen the country’s export control regime. These resources will be used to implement new brokering controls, improve transparency, and support enhancements to Canada’s export controls...

This was excerpted from 13 April 2017 news release by Global Affairs Canada.