Bill C-233

An Act to amend the Export and Import Permits Act

Sponsor

Jenny Kwan NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Defeated, as of March 11, 2026

Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-233.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Export and Import Permits Act to more fully align it with the Arms Trade Treaty and to remove exemptions for specific countries by, among other things,
(a) clarifying that parts, components and technology necessary for the assembly or use of arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war are included in the meaning of those terms;
(b) preventing exemptions from the Export Control List for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war based on their country of destination;
(c) preventing the issuance of general export permits for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war;
(d) preventing the issuance of general brokering permits for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war;
(e) enhancing the considerations that the Minister must take into account in issuing a permit to export or broker arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war;
(f) providing that the Minister must require end-use certificates from the government of a country to which arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war are being exported if doing so would sufficiently mitigate a substantial risk of war crimes or violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law; and
(g) requiring the Minister to prepare and table in Parliament an annual report on the export of arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war and Canada’s compliance with the Arms Trade Treaty.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-233s:

C-233 (2022) Law An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act (violence against an intimate partner)

C-233 (2020) Sex-selective Abortion Act

C-233 (2016) Law National Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Act

Votes

March 11, 2026 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Export and Import Permits Act

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-233 seeks to amend the Export and Import Permits Act by removing exemptions, requiring permits and human rights assessments for military goods exports, and increasing transparency.

NDP

Close the U.S. export loophole: The NDP advocates for Bill C-233 to close the "U.S. loophole" in the Export and Import Permits Act, ensuring Canada fully complies with the Arms Trade Treaty and prevents Canadian arms from fueling global conflicts.
Prevent complicity in war crimes: The party highlights that the current loophole allows Canadian-made components to be used in weapons that commit war crimes and human rights abuses abroad, making Canada complicit in global atrocities.
Strengthen export controls and transparency: Bill C-233 will require permits and human rights assessments for all military exports, including to the U.S., end blanket exemptions, and ensure public reporting, thereby strengthening Canada's moral standing and aligning with NATO allies.

Conservative

Opposes bill C-233: The Conservative Party opposes Bill C-233, arguing it threatens Canada's defence relationship with the United States and poses significant risks to the Canadian defence industrial sector.
Impacts US defence and security: The bill could create conflict with the United States, which may view it as a direct threat to its defence and security by removing exemptions for Canadian military exports.
Jeopardizes F-35 production: The bill could ban Canadian-made F-35 components from export to the United States, potentially disrupting the assembly and operation of the F-35 fighter jet.
Risks Canadian jobs and industry: Conservatives fear the bill could de-integrate the North American defence sector, causing defence companies to leave Canada and resulting in thousands of job losses.

Bloc

Supports bill's intentions: The Bloc supports the intentions of Bill C-233 to amend the Export and Import Permits Act, commending efforts to promote world peace, but holds reservations.
Effectiveness is doubtful: The Bloc doubts the bill's effectiveness due to the integrated Canada-U.S. defence industries, fearing the U.S. would simply find other arms suppliers.
Vague refusal threshold: The bill's threshold for denying export permits, particularly regarding civilian harm, is too vague. The Bloc argues it should remain at the government's discretion for predictability and leverage.
Final decision pending: Despite serious reservations, the Bloc will listen to the two-hour debate on the bill before making a final decision on whether to refer it to committee.

Liberal

Canada's strong export controls: Canada already possesses one of the world's strongest and strictest export control regimes for arms, exceeding international treaty requirements, with human rights considerations at its core.
Risks to national security: The bill risks undermining Canada's security, international partnerships, NATO commitments, and the defence industry, while jeopardizing the Canadian Armed Forces' operational capabilities.
Impractical and disruptive changes: The bill's overly broad definition of arms and mandatory end-use certification for private companies are impractical, would overwhelm the system, and disrupt Canada's agile, risk-managed approach.

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The House resumed from March 9 consideration of the motion that Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Export and Import Permits Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Export and Import Permits ActPrivate Members' Business

March 11th, 2026 / 3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

It being 3:14 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-233, under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #85

Export and Import Permits ActPrivate Members' Business

March 11th, 2026 / 3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

I declare the motion lost.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 12 minutes.