Canadian politicians are accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government of cowardice for failing to act against domestic companies providing services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The criticism follows the January killings of two protesters in Minnesota by ICE agents. NDP MPs Heather McPherson and Jenny Kwan demand the government revoke export permits and close ICE's five Canadian offices.

Among the firms named are security giant GardaWorld, which McPherson says staffs ICE detention centers, and vehicle maker Roshel, supplying armored trucks. Kwan's private member's bill, voting by February's end, aims to close a U.S. Arms Trade Treaty exemption, potentially blocking such sales. The government has not indicated any plan to bar these contracts, despite calls to stand up to the Trump administration.

Grassroots campaigns have already forced one reversal: billionaire Jim Pattison cancelled a Virginia facility sale to ICE after a boycott threat. However, Hootsuite faces less direct pressure for its $95,000 ICE analytics pilot. CEO Irina Novoselsky called ICE's actions "wrong" but kept the contract. With federal action absent, protesters target the City of Vancouver, Hootsuite's landlord, to apply financial and reputational heat.

Lowan argues that public pressure remains the most potent tool, noting how quickly Pattison retreated. She stresses that sustained protests targeting corporate partners are essential to sever ties, as parliamentary routes appear blocked. The dispute frames a broader test of Canadian values versus economic fears of U.S. retaliation during trade talks.