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Liberal MP Sean Casey Says He Was Demoted Over Support for Arms Export Bill
Charlottetown Liberal MP Sean Casey says he was removed as parliamentary secretary to the veterans affairs minister after voting for the NDP's Bill C-233, which sought to close a loophole letting Canadian-made arms reach Israel via third countries.
Liberal MP Sean Casey says he was removed from his position as parliamentary secretary to the minister of veterans affairs because he supported a bill aimed at tightening controls on arms exports to Israel. According to CBC News, Casey — who represents Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island — said a Liberal whip warned him in March that backing NDP MP Jenny Kwan's private member's bill would cost him the post.
Why it matters
The bill Casey backed was Bill C-233, the No More Loopholes Act, which sought to close a gap in Canada's arms export regime that allows Canadian-made military equipment to reach Israel through third countries — mainly the United States — without an export permit or human rights review. Casey was the only parliamentary secretary among the 15 Liberal MPs who supported the bill. He said he voted his conscience at the request of voters in his riding. The bill was defeated in the House of Commons, 22 votes to 295.
Full report
Casey said he was told of his removal during a call from the prime minister's office on Thursday, and was replaced the next day by Quebec MP Sophie Chatel. Kwan, who tabled the bill, said in a statement: "A Parliamentary Secretary should not have to choose between doing their job and following their conscience." She asked that if MPs cannot vote according to their conscience on a private member's bill without risking their government position, what does a "free vote" actually mean.
The episode has raised questions about whether MPs can truly vote as their constituents wish. Casey said he backed the measure because of concerns raised by voters in his riding. The affair comes as domestic political issues heat up, drawing fresh scrutiny to the Liberal government's control over its caucus.
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