Last week, hundreds of PeaceQuest supporters added their name to an official federal e-petition calling on Canada to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.
As a result, the e-petition achieved the critical number of 500 signatures required to be read aloud in the House of Commons by its sponsor, Green Party MP Jenica Atwin (Fredericton).
The e-3075 petition calls on the government of Canada to, “Immediately halt all transfer of Canadian made weapons to Saudi Arabia.” The weapons have been linked to Saudi Arabia’s military actions in neighbouring Yemen, where it is involved in a bloody conflict that has created a humanitarian disaster. “Undertake a massive increase of life-saving humanitarian aid to Yemen,” the petition urges.
"Thank you to the Canadians making their voices heard on this important document. You have my support."
- Jenica Atwin MP
In a message to PeaceQuest supporters and everyone who signed the petition, Jenica Atwin said, “Canada has a responsibility to the global community, to be a force for good and to advance human rights. Selling weapons and armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia to be used to target civilians in Yemen is a far cry from living up to that responsibility. Thank you to the Canadians making their voices heard on this important document. You have my support.”
The petition remains open for more signatures until May 27, 2021. It will be read in Parliament by Jenica Atwin MP, and the government is required to respond within 45 days.