August 2, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement:

“Canada has drawn, and will continue to draw, a hard line: since January 2024, we have refused any new permits for controlled goods that could be used in Gaza. Not one has been approved.

“We went further by freezing all existing permits in 2024 that could have allowed military components to be used in Gaza, and those permits remain suspended today.

“The law is clear: no company may export controlled goods without a valid permit. We will not hesitate to ensure that those who violate this law face legal consequences that include fines, seizures and criminal prosecution.

“In other words, we will not allow Canadian-made weapons to fuel this conflict in any way.

“After examining the report released on July 29, 2025, Global Affairs Canada officials have determined that a number of claims in the report are misleading and significantly misrepresent the facts.

“For example:

• The items identified as ‘bullets’ are in fact paintball-style projectiles. They are accompanied by equipment designed to make a firearm inoperable with traditional rounds. These cannot be used in combat, and if they were, they would require a permit that would not be granted.
• No mortars have been shipped from Canadian manufacturers to Israel, either directly or indirectly, since before permits were suspended.
• At no time are explosive materials such as bullets or other munitions transported on passenger aircraft. To claim otherwise is simply false.

“Canada continues to deny any export permits for materials that could be used in Gaza.

“We take any allegations of circumventing of Canada’s export regime very seriously and, if true, these would be accompanied by severe legal sanctions.”