Liberal MP claims removal as parliamentary secretary over support for arms-export bill

Sean Casey, the Liberal MP for Charlottetown, says he was stripped of his parliamentary secretary duties to the minister of veterans affairs after he voted for an NDP private-member bill targeting Canadian arms exports to Israel. In March, the Liberal whip warned Casey that supporting Bill C-233, known as the No More Loopholes Act, would result in his removal. Despite fifteen Liberal MPs supporting the measure, Casey was the sole parliamentary secretary to break with the party line.

He received a direct call from the Prime Minister’s Office confirming his replacement by Quebec MP Sophie Chatel. Casey argued the bill was intended to stop Canadian equipment from being rerouted to Israel and used against Palestinians, reflecting his constituents’ concerns. He maintains respect for the prime minister and the Liberal Party, but says the episode underscores limits on free votes for backbenchers.