ICAN Canada

Physicians for Global Survival partnered with Voice of Women and Mayors for Peace to launch ICAN in Canada.

Fore more information contact:

Physicians for Global Survival
Dale Dewar, MD, FCFP
Executive Director
Email: mdmd@sasktel.net
Website: www.pgs.ca

Our aims

Nuclear weapons have no military or security utility, are immoral, illegal and their use can never be justified. They are at risk of use by accident or miscalculation. They can be acquired by extremists. Non-nuclear weapon states feel insecure and driven to acquire them.

A negotiated nuclear abolition

Abolition of the world's 26,000 nuclear weapons is achievable through a Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC). Such a treaty would provide for their elimination in much the same way that treaties have banned landmines and chemical and biological weapons.

No new nuclear weapons

Nuclear weapon states are continuing to upgrade, modernize and test new nuclear weapons and other states are trying to acquire them. The original nuclear weapon states must be faithful to their "unequivocal undertaking" at the Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2000 to "accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals."

Reduction of the threat of use

Thousands of weapons can be launched in 20 minutes by Russia and the United States. Taking them off such "high alert" status would prevent detonation by accident or hasty decision, by human or computer error. Every nuclear weapon state should commit itself to a "No First Use" policy - a pledge never to initiate a nuclear exchange. Canada should declare itself a nuclear weapon-free zone.

Adopt a NATO nuclear-free defence posture

The statement from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that nuclear weapons are "essential" is incompatible with its unequivocal commitment to nuclear disarmament. As a member of NATO, Canada should call for the dismantling of nuclear weapons assigned to NATO. At present there is a "neither confirm nor deny" policy with respect to the presence of nuclear weapons on vessels entering Canadian waters. Canada should demand transparency and deny entrance to nuclear weapons in our ports.

Cease producing fuel for weapons

Canada should stop exporting uranium to any nation that has nuclear weapons or is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).