Over 300 Senator armoured vehicles made by Brampton-based company Roshel Inc. are part of a $2 billion military aid package to help Ukraine repel invading Russian forces. (Photo: Roshel Inc.)

Canada’s minister of national defence was in Brampton on Tuesday to visit Roshel Inc. – an armoured vehicle maker that was recently protested by anti-war activists.

Minister National Defence David J. McGuinty was at the Roshel plant and met with CEO Roman Shimonov following an announcement in February that 383 Senator armoured vehicles made by Roshel will be part of a $6.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

“Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” McGuinty said in a release. “The armoured vehicles manufactured by Roshel will enhance the protection and mobility of Ukrainian forces as they conduct critical operations on the battlefield.”

One of the largest manufacturers of smart armoured vehicles in North America, Roshel has a $65-million manufacturing plant in Brampton and hired more than 250 Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion.

The Senator can be mounted with weapons systems including a 7.62 mm machine gun, and can also be equipped with mine-resistant technology that can withstand up to a 6 kg explosive.

Some 2,200 Roshel Senators have been sent in support of Ukraine since 2022, the company says.

But the company has also come under criticism by activist group World Beyond War Canada for its now-halted export of more than 30 armoured vehicles to the Israel Defence Forces, and the sale of 20 Senator vehicles to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid escalating violence and clashes with the public on American streets.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford took a different stance when the sale was announced, calling the deal between Roshel and ICE “fantastic.”

Senator vehicles were seen being used by ICE following the death of Alex Pretti, a nurse at a veteran’s hospital who was shot dead by ICE agents in January while trying to provide aid to another protester.

World Beyond War held a protest outside Roshel last week to connect with workers at shift-change while “highlighting Roshel’s complicity” in global conflicts, one attendee told INsauga.com after the demonstration.

The group lamented the failure of Bill C-233 last week (No More Loopholes Act), a bill designed to stop Canada’s “ongoing arming of genocide and war crimes.”


INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies

Last 30 Days: 32,871 Votes

All Time: 1,260,523 Votes

1664 VOTES
Are you worried you might lose your job in the next 6-12 months?

WIN A $100 GIFT CARD

Subscribe to INsauga’s daily email newsletter for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.