Common menu bar
Controlling Weapons of Mass Destruction
Our ultimate goal is the total elimination of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and introducing effective controls on their means of delivery. We also aim to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear power in a safe and secure manner.
The illicit possession and spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons (Weapons of Mass Destruction, or WMD), and their delivery systems, gravely threaten Canada's national security.
State or non-state actors could jeopardize our national interests at home or overseas. Rapid advances, in and the spread of, scientific and technical knowledge, seem likely to increase this threat. But decisive action now could prevent these problems from worsening later.
Our response to the WMD threat covers:
Canada's Goals
Work toward the total elimination of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
Introduce effective controls on the means of delivery of weapons of mass destruction.
Promote safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear power.
Canada remains committed to the ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament, consistent with our NATO membership. Until this occurs, we recognize that continued deterrence is a key to dissuading potential aggressors that may threaten our national security.
What we're doing
Decisive, successful action against WMD requires strategies that move beyond political-diplomatic policy negotiations and international institutions. It also takes active involvement by other government departments.
Proliferation poses a collective global challenge: it needs a collective global response. Export control regimes are only as strong as their weakest links; multilateral negotiations are only as strong as the commitment of participating states.
Canada's security strategy combines effective national policies and activities with bilateral cooperation, working with multilateral organizations. These include the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Conference on Disarmament. Furthermore, Canada works in other fora such as the G8, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the United Nations.
