POLICY POINT PAPER FOR PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU
ISSUE: Under the previous Harper government, the Canadian government brokered a $15-billion deal to sell weaponized armoured vehicles manufactured in Ontario to Saudi Arabia. Does this deal align with Canada’s “principled” foreign policy, and how should the new Trudeau government proceed with the deal without hurting Saudi Arabian relations and its own reputation in human rights?
BACKGROUND:
Saudi Arabia is Canada’s second largest export market in the Middle East. Exports in 2014 were valued at $1.2 billion mainly in vehicles, equipment and mechanical/ electrical production. Canada imports more than twice that amount- the majority in mineral production. There is very little integral academic or cultural exchange between the countries.
The $15-billion deal is the largest military export contract in Canadian history. It will provide almost 3,000 Canadian workers with employment for 15
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Criticizing Saudi Arabia and halting the deal will force Saudi Arabia to address many of the severe human rights violations that will curb future trade deals.
Cons: Revisiting a deal made by the previous Conservative government will be seen as an attack on efforts made by the Harper government. Voters have witnessed the current government abandon many campaign promises, and not follow through on many bills and deals deemed “crucial” and “priority” by the Harper government, cancelling the deal would further this negative image.
Canada should revisit the details of the deal and address the potential human rights violation and pressure Saudi Arabia with possible sanctions if the vehicles supplied are caught being used against its