Canada banned military exports to Israel — but critics say there’s an ‘absolutely appalling’ loophole

OTTAWA — The Canadian government is being accused of backpedaling on its promise to suspend arms exports to Israel after the U.S. government announced a plan to sell made-in-Canada explosive mortar cartridges to the Israeli government.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved a sale to Israel of 50,400 explosive mortar cartridges worth roughly $83 million. The cartridges are expected to be manufactured by Québec-based General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc. and delivered in 2026, pending congressional approval.