Blackburn News file photo of a LAV III at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.Blackburn News file photo of a LAV III at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.
London

Essex MP: Canada should consider its own military for London's LAVs

Another voice has joined the chorus of those calling on Ottawa to find new business for General Dynamics in London.

While the federal government reviews its military contracts with the government of Saudi Arabia, Essex MP Tracey Ramsey is suggesting Canada look in its own backyard for new business for the maker of the LAV III.

"Find a place in our own Canadian military, which is really in an extreme situation around equipment and having proper equipment," suggested Ramsey, who is also the NDP's trade critic.

The NDP is in favour of ending military contracts with the kingdom over its war against Yemen.

"What happened with [Washington Post contributor Jamal] Khashoggi is really just the tip of the iceberg," she said in Windsor on Tuesday.

Khashoggi disappeared October 2 when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Since then, gruesome details of his murder have been released by officials.

Last month, General Dynamic laid off 37 workers just weeks after laying off 28 in September. Ramsey is confident Ottawa can find enough business to prevent more layoffs within NATO.

"We can find another home for these vehicles. We can find another platform for them to be building something that is not going and being used in this way," she said.

General Dynamic's contract with the Saudi government is worth $15 billion.

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