Nine national organizations in Canada – who focus on many different aspects of international peace and security – have come together to urge the Government of Canada to act decisively on Recommendation 21, unanimously agreed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) in its recent report on Canada and NATO.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada take a leadership role within NATO in beginning the work necessary for achieving the NATO goal of creating the conditions for a world free of nuclear weapons. That this initiative be undertaken on an urgent basis in view of the increasing threat of nuclear conflict flowing from the renewed risk of nuclear proliferation, the deployment of so-called tactical nuclear weapons, and changes in nuclear doctrines regarding lowering the threshold for first use of nuclear weapons by Russia and the US.

As noted by these groups, the National Defence Committee has identified a constructive and timely approach for Canada to begin a long-overdue conversation within NATO on how to move away from the nightmare of mutually-assured destruction toward the vision of sustainable peace and common security grounded in the UN Charter.

This pragmatic and forward-looking recommendation also reflects a proud, but too-long neglected, tradition of collaborative parliamentary work in support of Canadian leadership in global efforts for nuclear disarmament.

Through this letter to Minister Freeland, the Government of Canada is called upon to respond “positively and promptly” to Recommendation 21, including sharing its vision for realizing this work within NATO.

For the full text of the letter to Minister Chrystia Freeland, click here.

For the full text of the companion letter to Stephen Fuhr, Chair of the National Defence Committee, click here.

You can add your voice by sending an email to the addressees below indicating:

• Your concern over the growing threat of nuclear conflict
• Your support for Canada taking a leadership role within NATO as called for in the unanimous recommendation 21 of the Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) Report on Canada and NATO.

Chrystia.Freeland@international.gc.ca;

cc: Laurence.deschamps-laporte@international.gc.ca; Stephen.Fuhr@parl.gc.ca; james.bezan@parl.gc.ca; Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca

Photo credit: Wikimedia (House of Commons)