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The largest arms export contract in Canadian history is apparently no longer an arms deal.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is referring to a $14-billion deal to provide Saudi Arabia with light armoured vehicles as a contract for “transport vehicles.” And he says such equipment can’t be considered arms.

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The characterization of the deal comes as Harper defends the contract with the Saudi Arabian regime.

The country’s human rights violations have been making news lately because of the Saudi decision to behead, then crucify a young man who protested against the government when he was 17 years old. British Prime Minister David Cameron issued a plea Sunday to the Saudi government not to proceed with that execution.

The Saudi courts have also upheld the sentencing of pro-democracy blogger Raif Badawi to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes. Badawi, whose family has been granted asylum in Canada, was sent to prison last year for insulting Islam.