Canadian Minister of National Defence Responds to the Canadian Democratic Movement
Uncategorized Comments (0)
Minister of National Defence William Graham Explains Liberal Position on Missile Defence
By Roy Whyte
During the height of the missile defence debate, I wrote Prime Minister Paul Martin regarding Canada’s position in the proposed system.
Dear Paul Martin,
We would like to impress upon you the need to reconsider any move
towards joining the U.S. with national missile defence.
The majority of Canadians are against the system and you do stand to
alienate yourself from this group. Missile defence is not Canadian as
it is envisioned. As long as the United States maintains a pre-emptive
policy towards their perceived enemies, missile defence is for offence.
We can help our neighbour more by showing our hesitation than we ever could by ignoring the voices of Canadians.
Please consider the larger picture.
That letter was sent in October 2004 and the reply from the Minister of National Defence William Graham is as follows:
On 24 February 2005, the Government of Canada announced that Canada will not
be participating in the missile defence system of the United States. This
decision was based on a careful assessment of Canada’s national interests
and priorities.
However, the Government of Canada respects and understands the decision of
the United States to take steps it considers essential to its security,
including the deployment of a missile defence system. This is why, in August
2004, Canada and the United States amended the North American Aerospace
Defence Command (NORAD) Agreement to make NORAD’s missile warning capability
available to US commands involved in ballistic missile defence. The
Amendment ensures that NORAD’s essential missile warning function will be
preserved, and that Canadians will continue to benefit from the security it
provides.
Allowing NORAD to share information on missile warning is not the
same as participating in the missile defence system of the United States.
Missile warning involves detecting missile launches and tracking their
flight; NORAD has been performing this role for the last thirty years.
Missile defence involves shooting down incoming missiles. The US Northern
Command (NORTHCOM) is responsible for the missile defence of the United
States.
Canada’s principal approach to address threats posed by missiles is
prevention, through non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD)
measures. We are fully committed to promoting and strengthening the NACD
norms and mechanisms, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the
Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. We are also
working to increase understanding of, and adherence to, the principles of
the Missile Technology Control Regime, as well as to strengthen
international safeguards and verification. Prevention is our first line of
defence against missiles and weapons of mass destruction.
Canada and the United States have a shared stake in the security and defence
of North America. Our close partnership with the United States in
continental defence of North America dates back to the Second World War,
with the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence. This
co-operation has grown over the years with the creation of NORAD in 1958,
and the establishment of a Bi-National Planning Group in 2002. The
Bi-National Planning Group is exploring how both countries can better
co-operate in defending against threats to North American security after the
attacks of 11 September 2001.
As the Government of Canada made clear in its February 2005 Federal Budget,
we are investing significantly in areas that will strengthen Canada’s
security. The Canadian government will provide $433 million over the next
five years for border security. We are also committed to equipping Canada
with flexible and responsive tools to enable us to deal with the full range
of threats we face- be they from failed states, terrorism, or the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A particular priority is
ensuring the Canadian Forces is able to meet the security challenges of
today. Our commitment to meeting this objective was demonstrated by the
Budget’s commitment of nearly $13 billion over the next five years for the
Canadian Forces. This investment will reinforce our ability to contribute to
continental and international defence and security initiatives.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Sincerely,
The Honourable William Graham, PC, QC, MP
Minister of National Defence
The Liberal government while at first supporting missile defence, backed down after feeling the heat from Canadians from coast to coast. The move to not join completely in the missile defence program was one that was well received by the general public. Since that time, the Bush government has not taken steps to punish Canada as some suggested. The Conservative party are on record as saying they will revisit the issue of missile defence should they form the government, “I tell you that on our common interests with the United States, including on missile defence, our Conservative government will take Canada back to the table — where it belongs.” – Stephen Harper
The Canadian Democratic Movement has always supported non-proliferation, the de-alerting of missile stocks, disarmament, strengthening of international treaties, and multilateral cooperation as the best options for ensuring Canadian security and that of our valued neighbour to the south.
As we continue to endure further corporate driven integration with the United States, these types of issues are sure to arise once again. Canadians will need to decide at that time if we want to continue our historical role, or forge a new path. Civil society will be presented these issues, and like missile defence, should remember – we the people still hold the final say.
Roy Whyte is the director of WhiteBark Innovations
and edits Canadian Book News
@ July 28, 2005