Протестующие требуют от правительства Канады разорвать связи с израильским производителем оружия Elbit Systems

A group of protesters calling for the Canadian government to end ties with Elbit Systems gathered outside Peterborough City Hall Thursday morning as part of a national day of action organized by the group Arms Embargo Now. Elbit Systems is Israel’s largest weapon’s manufacturer providing drones, tanks and ammunition to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Earlier this year, the company reported earnings growth of 28 per cent over last year alongside an order backlog of over $32 billion. What are the main concerns of protesters? Speaking Thursday, Stephanie Benn called Elbit systems “the primary corporate beneficiary of the ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran” while highlighting the company’s year over year growth. “Despite intense pressure for a complete arms embargo from human rights and antiwar coalitions like arms embargo now, Canada continues to have operational and procurement ties to Elbit systems, including Israeli-made surveillance drone technology,” Benn continued. Locally, the Nova Scotia based Geospectrum Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit, operates an engineering and development operation in Peterborough for underwater acoustic systems and surveillance technologies, serving clients in the ocean science, defence, and oil and gas industries. How have levels of government shifted their focus into the defence sector? All levels of government in Canada have increased their focus on the defence sector as a major part of building Canada’s economy amid the trade uncertainty wrought by President Donald Trump’s administration. The federal Defence Industrial Strategy includes $180 billion in defence procurement opportunities and $290 billion in defence-related capital investment opportunities in Canada in the next decade. Ontario, meanwhile, announced a defence strategy in May, which includes the goal of creating 43,000 jobs through positioning the province as a key partner within the defence sector by strengthening its industrial base. In June, the city announced the formation of the Peterborough Aerospace and Defence Cluster (PADC) which responds to the priorities set out by the senior levels of government. A report to council outlining the city’s main economic development priorities includes aerospace and defence, a point which has raised concerns for residents as well as some councillors who expressed dismay at not having been consulted prior to moving forward in this direction. During last week’s general committee meeting, Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal highlighted the significance of the energy and manufacturing sector in ensuring access to “high paying, unionized good jobs” while discussing the city’s new investment approach. How do protesters hope the issue will be addressed in the upcoming municipal election? For those gathered outside city hall Thursday, the focus on defence, energy and manufacturing investment locally and across Canada should be a major issue for candidates to address in the upcoming municipal elections. “We need to find out where candidates in upcoming elections stand and ask them to stand with the people — demand that they stand with people,” Benn said. The issues of labour and the creation of good paying jobs are deeply entrenched in the issues facing Canadians across the country and locally, she noted, saying that there needs to be a focus on breaking down barriers between labour and activism focused on climate and social justice. “We cannot stand idly by as Carney and Ford and the likes of Danielle Smith in Alberta weaponize young Canadians’ workers’ need for jobs while … pitting activists against workers in industries that threaten our hope for a healthy and peaceful and sustainable future,” Benn said. “We are being lulled into complacency as our planet burns, and if we think that these weapons are not linked directly to our ongoing climate catastrophe, do some research.” Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.