n Yves Engler
gies, MDA and Ultra Electronics to deliver the Royal Canadian Navy’s future fleet of surface combatants”. Their ads also foot much of the bill for journals read by military officials such as the Canadian Defence Review, Canadian Naval Review and Esprit de ore politically deOttawa Chamber of Commerce, Corps. pendent than almost Conference of Defense AssociaArms companies’ constantly all other industries, tions, etc. lobby MPs and DND officials. arms manufacturers Beyond promoting their In a “12-Month Lobbying Activplay for keeps in Ottawa, Canawares in the nation’s capital, ity Search” of the Office of the da’s capital city. They target ads companies advertise aggressiveCommissioner of Lobbying of and events sponsorships at decily in publications read by Ottawa Canada Lockheed Martin, CAE, sion makers while hiring insiders insiders such as iPolitics, OtBombardier, General Dynamics, and military stars to lobby on tawa Business Journal and Hill Raytheon, BAE, Boeing and Airtheir behalf. Times. “Today’s Morning Brief is bus Defence were listed dozens of Activist and academic Tamara brought to you by Canada’s Comtimes. Lockheed Martin’s name Lorincz recently posted a photo bat Ship Team”, noted a regular alone appeared 40 times in a reof an F35 ad in a bus shelter in iPolitics ad. “Lockheed Martin cent search. front of Parliament Hill. US Canada is leading a team of BAE To facilitate access to governweapons giant Lockheed Martin Systems, CAE, L3 Technoloment officials, international arms is pushing hard to win a $19makers maintain offices in billion contract to supply the Ottawa. Lockheed Martin, Canadian air force with a fleet Boeing, Northrop Grumman, of new fighter jets. BAE, General Dynamics, To gain a share of the pubL-3 Communications, Airlic funds on offer arms compabus, United Technologies, nies target ads at political and Raytheon, etc. all have offices military leaders, promoting in Canada’s capital and most their products in washrooms of them are a few blocks from and bus shelters where DeParliament. partment of National Defence A sales pitch carries more (DND) and Canadian Forces weight when it comes from (CF) officials congregate. a friend, CF “star” or expeRideau Institute founder rienced veteran. As a result, Steven Staples pointed out arms companies contract that “you can’t walk around in former CF and DND leaders Ottawa without tripping over to lobby on their behalf. Longsome arms dealer on Spark time Project Ploughshares Street.” campaigner Kenneth Epps Arms sellers also sponsor explains: “There are many talks and exhibits attended cases of government ofby Ottawa insiders. They ficials who, very early after promote their brand at the retiring, become lobbyists or Canadian War Museum, NO TO WAR JOBS: Lockheed poster in a bus shelter advocates of certain types of Gatineau-Ottawa airshow, in front of Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. equipment or representatives
Arms firms swarm Canada’s decision-makers
M Photo: Tamara Lorincz
ColdType | March 2020 | www.coldtype.net
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