Where Was Canada? Our country was missing when more than 100 nations drew up and voted for a treaty to ban nuclear weapons

Authors

Erika Simpson, University of Western Ontario (Western University)Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-17-2017

Journal

London Free Press

Abstract

In July 2017, the United Nations adopted a historic treaty to ban nuclear weapons, with 122 countries voting in favor. However, none of the nuclear-armed states, including the U.S. and Russia, participated. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons emerged from a series of international conferences aimed at highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapon use. Canada, aligning with the U.S., chose not to participate, drawing criticism from non-nuclear states. This stance contrasts with Canada’s past actions during the Cold War when it unilaterally disarmed its nuclear arsenal. The long-standing Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has seen limited success in disarmament over nearly 50 years, leading to frustration among non-nuclear nations. The new treaty aims to further stigmatize nuclear weapons, but significant challenges remain in persuading nuclear powers to engage in disarmament efforts amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Notes

First published in the London Free Press