Consultation regarding the possible addition of Israel and the United Arab Emirates to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL)

The Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) requires those who wish to export from Canada any items included on the Export Control List (ECL) to obtain, prior to shipment, an export permit ^{Footnote 1} . Applications to export controlled goods or technology are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that these exports are consistent with Canada’s foreign and defence policies.

The EIPA places very strict controls on the export of certain prohibited firearms, prohibited weapons and prohibited devices (as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada).  Export permit applications for exports of such items are only considered for countries that are included on the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL), a list of countries the Government of Canada has deemed it appropriate to permit the export of these items to and with which the Government of Canada has signed an intergovernmental defence, research, development and production arrangement.  There are currently 36 countries listed on the AFCCL.   

At this time, the Export Controls Division would like to invite stakeholders and the general public to provide their views regarding a possible regulatory amendment which could result in the addition of Israel and United Arab Emirates to the AFCCL.

The proposed regulation, if ultimately approved by the Governor in Council, will allow exporters of certain prohibited firearms, prohibited weapons and prohibited devices to submit permit applications for the export of these items to Israel and the United Arab Emirates.  Please note that inclusion on the AFCCL does not guarantee that a permit will be issued for the export of these items, and that all applications will remain subject to the Government of Canada’s review process.

Submissions must be received no later than December 7, 2014. All submissions will be treated as protected information.  While submissions may be subject to requests under the Access to Information Act, no information will be released without first consulting with the original provider.

Please submit your contributions by email or mail to:

Attention – AFCCL Consultation
Export Controls Division (TIE)
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development 
125 Sussex Drive 
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0G2
Email: tie.consultations@international.gc.ca 

For further information, please contact:

Mark Richards
(343) 203-4336