4 Ways to Take Action: Canada's ICE Connection

Take Action
Written By Samanta Krishnapillai


Donate to SUpport the People Resisting I.C.E

1. Donate here

  1. In Minneapolis, community organizers, unions, and faith groups are doing the hard work: running rapid response networks, providing legal support, and showing up for families targeted by ICE. They organized the first general strike in the U.S. in 80 years. They're on the frontlines of this fight—and they need resources to keep going. If you're a Canadian who wants to do something tangible right now, this is it. Support the people pushing back against the violence our equipment is enabling.


2. Write your MP (Sample script included)

Time: 10 minutes

Your Member of Parliament (aka your federal representative) in Ottawa. They track what constituents care about—and they (should) vote accordingly. A flood of letters on an issue signals political risk. That's how democracy is supposed to work.

Find your MP: ourcommons.ca/members/en/search — enter your postal code.

And grab their contact info, their email and phone number is the most useful here.

As a secondary step, public pressure can be taken on their social media accounts by commenting or tagging them in posts.

Script: (copy, paste, personalize)

Subject: Canadian arms exports to ICE — request for action

Dear [MP Name],

I'm writing as your constituent in [riding/city] to express serious concern about the sale of Canadian-made armored vehicles to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Roshel Defence Solutions, a Brampton-based company, recently fulfilled a rush order for 20 armored tactical vehicles for ICE—an agency with a documented record of human rights abuses, including the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis this month. Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly celebrated this contract.

Under current Canadian law, military exports to the United States require no permit and no human rights assessment. This loophole puts Canada out of step with our obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty and allows Canadian equipment to be used in operations that harm civilians.

I urge you to:

Publicly call for accountability on this contract Support Bill C-233 (the No More Loopholes Act) to close the U.S. arms export exemption Pressure the Minister of Foreign Affairs to review Canada's arms export controls

Canadians expect our government to uphold human rights standards—not enable their violation. I would appreciate knowing your position on this issue.

Sincerely, [Your name] [Your postal code]


3. Contact Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand (script included)

Time: 10 minutes

Minister Anand is responsible for overseeing Canadian arms exports. She has the authority to set policy direction—and she's the one who can push for closing the loophole. When asked about the ICE contract, her office said they hadn't been approached. Let's change that.

Contact info:

Script (email or phone)

Subject: Demand action on Canadian arms exports to ICE

Dear Minister Anand,

I'm writing to urge you to take immediate action on the sale of Canadian-made armored vehicles to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Roshel Defence Solutions has delivered military-grade vehicles to an agency that has killed two American citizens this month and detained 150 Canadians in 2026 alone—including children. Premier Ford celebrated this contract publicly.

Canada's Arms Trade Treaty obligations require us to deny exports where there is substantial risk of human rights violations. The current exemption for U.S.-bound military goods makes a mockery of those obligations.

I call on you to:

Publicly condemn the Roshel-ICE contract Commit to blocking future export permits for ICE-bound equipment Support legislative reform to close the U.S. arms export loophole

Canada cannot claim to uphold human rights while arming agencies that violate them. I expect leadership from your office.

Sincerely, [Your name] [Your city/province]


4. Join the February 17 National Day of Action

Time: 1-2 hours (or more if you organize one)

On February 17, communities across Canada are holding coordinated actions to pressure MPs before the critical vote on Bill C-233 (the No More Loopholes Act). This is the moment to show up visibly—in numbers that can't be ignored.

What you can do:

  • Attend an action in your city

  • Organize one at your local MP's office (we have toolkits)

  • Amplify online with coordinated messaging

The goal: force every MP to pick a side before the vote. Will they keep funneling unregulated arms to agencies that kill civilians? Or will they close the loophole?

Register your action or find one near you at https://armsembargonow.ca/nomoreloopholes/

Samanta Krishnapillai