Dear Minister Anand,

We write to you as a collective of Canadian humanitarian organizations working in Gaza, as the mass starvation that was highlighted by more than 100 NGOs is now confirmed by the latest IPC report demonstrating that famine thresholds have been reached in Gaza - in a context of systematic blockage of humanitarian aid and of widespread destruction of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. This further aggravation of the humanitarian situation is even more alarming considering the recent and deeply disturbing revelations of continued transfer of Canadian weapons to Israel in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

We are writing you today to emphasise one of the concrete ways you can act. As you are aware, we have repeatedly called on the Government of Canada to end its military support to Israel in the context of its ongoing offensive in Gaza—and, specifically, to suspend all transfers of Canadian military equipment to Israel, whether direct or indirect. In March 2024, following the passing of a motion in the House of Commons, the government promised to adopt a clear policy to restrict arms exports. In September 2024, then minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly further stated that Canada “will not have any form of arms or components be sent to Gaza."

Despite these statements – which were never published as official policy - and our repeated demands, the newly disclosed information shows that Canada has not stopped its military support to Israel and has even continued to transfer weapons. This information is deeply alarming and raises serious concerns about Canada’s legal and moral responsibilities, as well as its complicity in the gross violations of international humanitarian and human rights law being perpetrated in this conflict.

As you are aware, under the Arms Trade Treaty and domestic export control laws, Canada is legally prohibited from authorizing the export of arms or related items where there is a substantial risk that they will be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law. Moreover, as a State Party bound by Common Article 1 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Canada is obligated to prevent the transfer of weapons to any party—state or non-state—when there is a clear risk these arms will contribute to violations of international humanitarian law. In addition, Canada has the obligation to ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2417, which prohibits the use of starvation as a weapon of war and holds states accountable for preventing such violations.

For months, we have continually shared with you, and your predecessor, overwhelming evidence that such violations are perpetrated daily, systematically, and on a massive scale by the Israeli Forces in Gaza.

In the face of the Israeli imposed widespread famine, continued restrictions on principled humanitarian aid and relentless attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and critical infrastructure carried out by the Israeli Forces, Canada’s continued military support is deeply shocking and unacceptable. Canada’s inaction is directly enabling a campaign of extermination against the Palestinian people. A campaign that has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, including our colleagues, partners, patients, and beneficiaries.

We therefore demand that you, Madam Minister, act decisively and immediately to, at a minimum, effectively suspend all transfers of Canadian military equipment to Israel, including closing all loopholes that allow U.S. weapons to transit through or benefit from Canadian supply chains as well as banning the transfer of surveillance and dual-use technologies.

We stand ready to engage further. As per our letter from June 13, 2025, we would welcome meeting with you, to discuss the situation in Gaza and some important steps you can take, in line with the concrete actions announced last May by Prime Minister Carney and leaders of the United Kingdom and France.

We urge you to act promptly. Upholding international humanitarian and human rights law is non-negotiable. Further inaction would constitute a grave breach of Canada’s legal obligations and a profound moral failure in our country's history.

Sincerely,

Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Doctors of the World Canada

Shannon Kindornay, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Cooperation Canada

Onome Ako, CEO, Action Against Hunger Canada

Luke Stocking, Interim Executive Director, Development and Peace ? Caritas Canada

Anne Delorme, Executive Director, Humanity & Inclusion Canada

Usama Khan, CEO, Islamic Relief Canada

Kenneth Kim, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Lauren Ravon, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada

Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec

Danny Glenwright, CEO, Save the Children Canada