Motion Opposing Arms Shows, June 2, 2009

Motion to City Council to Prevent

Weapons Bazaars on City Property

Whereas on April 19, 1989, the former City of Ottawa passed a Motion 11 to 1 resolving that Lansdowne Park and other city facilities not be leased to any future arms exhibitions; and

Whereas for the first time in 20 years a Canadian exhibition of military hardware and technology, called CANSEC 2009, took place at Lansdowne Park from 27-28 May; and

Whereas the arms trade has little or no consideration of moral or humanitarian issues in that weapons can and have been used against civilians; and

Whereas exports of Canadian military equipment and components end up in countries which persistently violate human rights; and

Whereas the international arms trade serves to increase militarization throughout the world and is inconsistent with arms limitations efforts; and

Whereas Lansdowne Park is a publicly supported recreation and trade show facility; and

Whereas, when Lansdowne Park was purchased by the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, according to City Legal Services the 1989 Council motion no longer applied to Lansdowne Park;

Therefore be it resolved that the City of Ottawa's 1989 Motion be applied to Lansdowne Park and all other city facilities, so that they not be leased to CANSEC or other such military exhibitions; and

Be It Further Resolved that the City of Ottawa call upon the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to pass similar Motions to prevent the leasing of their facilities to such military trade shows.