2. National Missile Defence

Given that: Canada may be asked to joint US plans for a new version of Star Wars, known as National Missile Defense (NMD), which is opposed by all other major countries, violates international law, and would lead to an arms race in space;

will you, if elected, work to ensure that the Government of Canada is in no way complicit with this or any other proposal for the weaponisation of space and that Canada officially oppse the US National Missile Defense program?

Bloc Québécois

The Bloc Québécois is not in favour of this project and will act accordingly.

Canadian Alliance Party

National Missile Defence is not "Star Wars" nor would it upset the strategic balance between the United States and Russia. The proposal as currently presented would provide for limited defence against rogue states armed with ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction as well as accidental launches. It offers the opportunity for a non-nuclear defence to a possible attack and protection from accidental launch.

The Canadian Alliance believes that Canada should support placing a limited missile defence system developed by the United States under the command and control of NORAD. No use of Canadian territory is contemplated in such a plan. It is in Canada's interest (political, economic and strategic) to maintain the viability of NORAD in the future.

The Canadian Alliance is persuaded that the present arms reduction process between the United States and Russia will continue regardless of whether or not NMD is deployed. We believe that Canada should of course continue to encourage this arms reduction process -- but from a position of strength and security.

Currently the NMD plan is on hold in any case, pending the arrival of a new Administration in the White House in January, 2001.

Liberal Party

The Liberal government has not taken a position on the proposed National Missile Defence system. Indeed, the United States has not taken the decision to proceed, so it would be premature for a Canadian decision at this point.

The departments of National Defence and Foreign Affairs are consulting with the United States and our allies to ensure that our assessment of the proposal takes into account the following factors: Canada's security interests for North America; implications for Canada's position on international arms control regimes; and Canada's involvement in collective security as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

New Democratic Party

No response, but the platform says that the party will: "oppose Canaidan participation in and further development of the NMD."

Progressive Conservative Party

No response, nothing relevant in party platform.