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Canadians have a problem with the Saudi arms deal, and Global Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion doesn’t understand why. “Where is your problem? I don’t understand,” he asked reporters last week.

The man is confused. His confusion is reasonable, in fact. There isn’t merely one problem with the government’s handling of the deal. There are 20 problems.

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tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Gormley: Dion asked, I've got answers: 20 problems with the Saudi arms deal Back to video

Dion, who helped create the problem (sic), now wants to know what the problem (sic) is. Allow me, then, to explain.

1. The government charges ahead to sell one of the world’s most notorious human rights abusers $15-billion worth of arms. This, a moral problem, is serious enough. It’s not isolated.

2. The deal seems to violate Canada’s own export rules. This suggests the Canadian government doesn’t respect Canadian regulations.

3. The deal may violate an arms trade treaty the government has promised to sign. This suggests the government doesn’t respect the diplomatic practice of honouring such commitments they’ve said they’ll make.