Garrison has repeatedly demanded more resources for the military, which has more than 10 times the budget of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Garrison recently complained to the Hill Times that the budget didn’t devote enough to the military, saying

we spent a decade not providing the military with an adequate operating budget to do the work we already asked them to do. It’s time to fix that.

Garrison supports the government’s plan to spend $19 billion – $77 billion over their lifecycle – on 88 new aggressive, climate destroying, fighter jets. He also wants Canada to purchase 15 surface combatant vessels armed with Tomahawk missiles that can travel 1,700 kilometers. The frigates are expected to cost $77 billion upfront and an eye-popping $286 billion over their lifecycle.

In mid-April, 85% of NDP convention delegates voted for the Palestine Resolution. It calls for “Ending all trade and economic cooperation with illegal settlements in Israel-Palestine” and “Suspending the bilateral trade of all arms and related materials with the State of Israel until Palestinian rights are upheld.”

In response to Israel’s recent ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem, attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque and violence in Gaza, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called for an arms embargo on Israel and the party promoted a petition making this demand, which most NDP MPs have shared.

Garrison has stayed quiet on the convention resolution and arms embargo. He also failed to criticize Israel’s recent violence and ethnic cleansing. Instead, on May 25 he signed a statement designed to shield Israel from criticism, which was promoted by lobby group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

Garrison is vice-chair of the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CIIG). Three years ago 200 well-known musicians, academics, trade unionists and NDP members called on NDP MPs to withdraw from CIIG. Most ultimately did so. Garrison has refused to leave a group that promotes “greater friendship” and “cooperation” between the Canadian and Israeli parliaments.

Garrison is out of step with NDP members on Palestinian rights. His militarism is also not shared by most in the party. It is time Garrison was removed as NDP defence critic.

Endorsing organizations:

Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste

Canadian BDS Coalition

Canada Palestine Association

Palestinian and Jewish Unity

World BEYOND War

Anti-Imperialist Alliance-Ottawa

World Beyond War Vancouver

Canadian Muslim Peace Alliance

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Network

Oakville Palestinian Rights Association (OPRA)

Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine Israel

Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action socialiste

Regina Peace Council

NDP Socialist Caucus

Al-Quds Committee-Toronto

Victoria Peace Coalition

Yemeni Community in Canada

Pax Christi Toronto

St. John's Solidarity for Palestine

Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War

Atlantic Canada Palestinian Association

Canadian Arab Federation

Palestinian Canadian Congress

Time Movement for Social Justice

Organizations wishing to join in endorsing, please contact info@justpeaceadvocates.ca