Speaking to reporters on the way into a caucus meeting, Clement said the Conservatives initially endorsed the deal because analysis showed the vehicles were most likely to be used in the fight on terror in the region. However, Clement said the situation in the area has changed and he is now concerned the vehicles could be used against civilians.
“The hinge on the deal in the first place was it was not going to be used to facilitate human rights abuses, it was going to be used in the fight against terrorism. If that is no longer the case then I have no hesitation in saying the deal should be torn up.”
Clement was also sharply critical of Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion who he said secretly signed the export permits necessary for the massive arms sale.
“What a strange way to learn for a government that claims to be more transparent than the last government and more open than the last government and more collaborative than the last government – they’re not living up to their promises.”
Clement’s comments come following the revelation by the Globe and Mail that while the Conservative government initially endorsed the deal to sell $15 billion worth of armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia – one of the biggest arms sales in Canadian history – it was Dion who signed the expert permits on Friday, a crucial step in the sale that many had thought had already taken place.
When they came to power, Trudeau’s Liberals indicated the sale was a done deal and their hands were tied.
Global Affairs Department documents stamped secret and released by the Justice Department this week in response to a court challenge to the sale, indicates the department recommended the sale because it could help Saudi Arabia in its conflict with neighboring Yemen.
When the Conservatives endorsed the deal, it was understood the vehicles were not supposed to be used in Yemen or on Saudi citizens, said Clement.
“It was predicated explicitly that the preponderance of evidence would be that the arms would not be used against the citizenry of Saudi Arabia. That this was not a deal to allow the Saudi government greater opportunity to suppress civil rights within their own country.”
Clement said he would like to see the government’s most recent reports on the situation in the area and for the foreign affairs committee to hold hearings on the issue.
“The facts on the ground are changing, as they always do in that region – it is a very incendiary part of the world. It is changing and that’s why there should be a more modern review of the situation to make sure that the original terms of the deal are still valid.”
The $15 billion contract for the vehicles became an issue during the election campaign, particularly in London, Ontario where the vehicles are built. The contract is tied to an estimated 3,000 jobs.
However, Clement said if the vehicles risk being used against civilians the deal should be cancelled, even if it costs jobs.
“I’m sorry. Of course every job is precious but it is very clear that Canadians do not want to be involved directly or indirectly in the suppression of civilian populations who are seeking their civic liberties.”
Original Article
Source: ipolitics.ca/
Author: Elizabeth Thompson
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