2022 is a critical year for Canada and the world in facing the existential threat of nuclear weapons. As Pax Christi Toronto (PCT) follows its spirit of active nonviolence, we are involved in the effort to eliminate nuclear weapons in the world through our membership in the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Coalition (HNDC) here in Toronto. HNDC is, in turn, a member of the Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (CNANW), and of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). We are also a member of the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network which addresses nuclear weapons.
In 2022, Canada has an opportunity to take leadership at three key international meetings, and Pax Christi is directly involved in advocating for such leadership.
1) At the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, originally scheduled to begin on January 6, 2022, then re-scheduled to August, 2022 due to covid. As a Party to that Treaty, Canada could urge all members to make decisive plans for an organized process leading to elimination of nuclear weapons by 2045. PCT has collaborated in drafting a Statement to be submitted to the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network.
2) At the NATO Summit, June 29-30, 2022, where NATO is completing a review of its polices. Canada can facilitate serious discussion among members, which include five nuclear weapon states, to reconsider its nuclear policy of deterrence, advocating for a change of policy. PCT has endorsed the CNANW Statement of: “Canadians Call on NATO: Reduce the Nuclear Risks and is actively encouraging many other groups to endorse.
3) At the First Meeting of the Signatories to the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), originally scheduled for March, 2022, and now postponed due to covid, Canada, who has until now refused to sign this Treaty, could be present at the Meeting as an observer, joining two other NATO countries, Norway and Germany. PCT has advocated for this in the draft Statement mentioned in 1). PCT, through HNDC, is also involved in promoting Parliamentary Petition e-3828 calling on the Federal Government to join the TPNW.