Canada's largest labor federation votes to block Israel arms shipments amid Gaza genocide

The labor body, which represents about 3 million workers, said in a statement published on October 28 that it stands in solidarity with Palestinian workers and their families, as well as with all those advocating for peace, justice, and adherence to international law.

The CLC emphasized that Canada is responsible for ensuring that arms manufactured on its soil are not used against Palestinian civilians or in breach of international humanitarian law, and called on the Ottawa government to stop all direct and indirect transfers of weapons and military equipment to the Israeli-occupied lands.

The umbrella organization called on Ottawa to adhere to international law, safeguard civilian lives, and support a fair and lasting peace for Palestinians.

Despite assertions from Canada that it has limited or suspended arms transfers to the Israeli-occupied lands, shipping and import records indicate a steady supply of weapons and military components.

A report from July 2025, titled ‘Exposing Canadian Military Exports to Israel,’ compiled by the Palestinian Youth Movement, World Beyond War, and the Arms Embargo Now Campaign, revealed a persistent, multi-million-dollar stream of military supplies, ammunition, and components flowing from Canada to the occupied territories.

By examining commercial shipping records and import data from the Israel Tax Authority between October 2023 and July 2025, these groups identified 47 direct commercial shipments from Canadian arms manufacturers and 391 military-related import records.

The transfers occurred under previously granted export permits, by sea and on more than 100 flights. Of these, 64 were commercial passenger flights that transported military cargo in the hold beneath civilian passengers.

The bulk of these shipments were directed to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, along with its subsidiaries.

According to the organizations, some shipments were expedited, with cargo occasionally rerouted through third countries such as the United States to reach the Israeli-occupied territories.

Months after Ottawa announced its ban in March 2024, reports surfaced indicating that $60 million worth of munitions from a $20-billion arms deal with Israel, approved by Washington, were set to be produced in Canada.

Since October 2023, Zionist regime has launched a genocidal war on Gaza that has martyred more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000. Approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed as well.

Israeli breaches of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, which went into effect in October 2025, have resulted in the killing of at least 1,574 Palestinians and injuries to more than 5,687 others, according to data from Gaza's Health Ministry.