Canadian Peace Alliance/l'Alliance canadienne pour la paix

Canada's largest umbrella peace group

For Immediate Release - November 20, 2000

Canadians to query candidates on their peace policies

"Will you, if elected, advocate that the Department of National Defence\rquote s budget receive no further increases until there is full disclosure and a public review of military spending priorities and the role of the Canadian Armed Forces?"is one of five questions that the Canadian Peace Alliance is urging people to ask their candidates during this election campaign.

On November 6, the Canadian Peace Alliance distributed hundreds of information sheets with questions and backgrounders to peace organizations throughout the country to pass on to their supporters. The Canadian Peace Alliance is Canada's largest umbrella peace organization.

Included on the pamphlet are questions about the candidate's position on sanctions against Iraq, National Missile Defence, the weapons trade and banning nuclear weapons. The full text of the pamphlet is available at <www.acp-cpa.ca/election2000>.

The questions were developed based on submissions and presentations made by individuals and groups in June to the People's Commission on Global Security: Canada's Role. The report of the People's Commission is scheduled to be released early next year as an agenda for the new government.

The Canadian Peace Alliance will post additional information on its web site throughout the election campaign, including the responses of the leaders of the five major political parties in Canada.

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For more information, contact Carolyn Bassett, Acting Coordinator, Canadian Peace Alliance, 416-588-5555.