3. Nuclear Convention
Given that: we live with more than 30,000 nuclear weapons, the only weapons of mass destruction not yet banned by international agreement, and that 92% of Canadians want their government to play a leading role in achieving a ban on nuclear weapons, just as it did in banning landmines;
will you, if elected, press the Government of Canada to work urgently with other governments for an international convention that would ban nuclear weapons as biological and chemical weapons are banned?
Background: In 1996, the World Court determined that for all practical purposes, to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons is contrary to international law. The Court unanimously ruled that all states are obligated to negotiat e and conclude an agreement on nuclear disarmament.
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference (May 2000) committed the five "quote official" nuclear weapons countries (China, France, Russia, Britain, USA) to the total elimination of their nuclear weapons. But the statement lacked a target date or any type of implementation schedule or process.
Canadians have already made their position clear. In a 1998 Angus Reid poll, 92% said that they want their government to play a leading role in achieving a ban on nuclear weapons.