CNANW

The Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons | Le Réseau canadien pour l’abolition des armes nucléaires

Letter to Prime Minister Carney: Military Budgets, Golden Dome and Nuclear War

January 13, 2026

CANADIAN NETWORK TO ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Le Réseau canadien pour l’abolition des armes nucléaires

January 12, 2026

The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington St.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

c.c. The Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs
c.c. The Hon. David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

RE: Military Budgets, Golden Dome and Nuclear War 

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

Since assuming office, you have made two of the most potentially consequential and profoundly disturbing announcements ever made by a Canadian Prime Minister – both with little or no consultation, nor evidence of the support of the Canadian electorate.  The first, that Canada agrees with a 150% increase in Defence spending by NATO states to 5% of GDP by 2035 from the longstanding target of 2% which Canada will meet for the first time, this year.  The second, that Canada may participate in U.S. President Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defence System which, in our view, will accelerate the arms race, lead to the weaponization of space and increase the risk of nuclear war. In addition to being tragically ill-conceived, the resource implications of both endeavours appear excessive in the extreme. We urge you and your colleagues to reconsider.

NATO Defence Spending

According to the 2025 Annual Report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditures in 2024 rose to US$2.718 trillion, a 9.4% increase over the previous year and the steepest year-on-year increase since the Cold War. NATO military spending alone totalled $1.506 trillion, 55% of the global total, almost 5 times that of China at $314 billion and more than 10 times that of Russia at $149 billion.  That NATO must increase military spending by an additional 150% over current levels to defend member states, defies reason.

Consider the opportunity costs. Current global military expenditures are already 13 times the $214 billion the world dedicated to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2024 according to the OECD – down 6% from 2023, which the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates has already resulted in 1.8 million unnecessary deaths. OCHA anticipates that ODA will fall by an additional 9% through 2025 and the downward trajectory will continue.

Golden Dome

U.S. President Trump’s so-called Golden Dome initiative, effectively reviving the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) or ‘Star Wars’ announced by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, is conceived as a comprehensive ground and space-based system to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic nuclear missiles. SDI envisaged the development of X-ray lasers, particle beam weapons and kinetic “hit to kill” interceptors, technology that was ultimately deemed not feasible. Golden Dome aspires to protect America from even the most sophisticated nuclear or conventional missile attack.

Missile technology, however, has become highly sophisticated since the 1980s. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) reports that Russia’s Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, for example, is maneuverable during flight and may reach Mach 27 (32,000 km/h). The RS-28 SARMAT, appropriately nicknamed “Satan II”, a hyper-sonic missile, ostensibly has a range of 16,000 kilometers at lower altitudes and up to 35,000 kilometers with a sub-orbital flight path. It literally can strike any point on earth from any direction, including over the South Pole to attack North America’s vulnerable southern border. Each missile can carry 16 independently targeted and maneuverable nuclear war-heads, each with its own counter measures and a combined explosive yield of up to 12,000 megatons – 800 times that of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945.

A separate concern, is short and medium range cruise missiles that can be launched in large numbers from nuclear powered submarines that are almost impossible to detect and can remain submerged off the coast of perceived adversaries for months at a time. Just one American Ohio-class sub can carry 192 nuclear warheads with a total explosive yield more than 6,000 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Other nuclear weapons states have similar capabilities.

A missile defence system as envisaged for Golden Dome will literally propel the arms race into space, abrogating Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty and Article 3.3 of the Moon Treaty. Further, it will incentivize greater offensive weapons production by adversaries in an effort to defeat this system.

The simple and terrifying fact is that it may never be possible to adequately counter a concerted attack with hypersonic, nuclear armed missiles that can evade radar systems.   The only truly effective defence against nuclear weapons is to eliminate them entirely, as has been done with chemical and biological weapons.

Conclusion

Prime Minister, Canada must be a strong voice of reason in a world that is becoming more unstable by the day. While fully acknowledging the need to maintain a robust military capacity to defend our nation and to fulfil our legal and moral obligations to help combat aggression abroad, we implore you to renounce both the outrageously disproportionate new NATO defence spending target, and Canada’s engagement in the strategic ballistic missile defence components of Donald Trump’s ill-conceived Golden Dome initiative.

We respectfully urge the Government of Canada to promote a broader common security framework for national and international defence and to be an example for the world by ramping up investment in diplomacy to prevent and resolve conflict, in international development to assist the forgotten millions who struggle daily for their very survival, and by undertaking concerted action to combat climate change and to rid the world of the scourge of nuclear weapons – investments that will generate far greater returns in Canadian and global security.

Sincerely,

Earl Turcotte, Chairperson, Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (CNANW)

Dr. Arnd Jurgensen, Incoming Chairperson and Member of the Steering Committee

Ms. Beverley Delong, Past Chairperson and Member of the Steering Committee

Dr. Sylvie Lemieux, Past Co-chairperson and Member of the Steering Committee

Mr. Robin Collins – Past Co-chairperson and Member of the Steering Committee

Dr. Nancy Covington – Member of the Steering Committee

Dr. John Guilfoyle – Member of the Steering Committee

 

linked in Word format: Letter to the PM – Golden Dome, Military Budgets and Nuclear War – Jan. 12, 2026

ND4 Letter to Prime Minister Carney: Appeal for Action toward Nuclear Abolition

November 25, 2025

The ND4 are four prominent Canadian nuclear weapons abolition groups: Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Canadian Pugwash Group, Canadian Leadership for Nuclear Disarmament, and Project Ploughshares.

November. 18, 2025

The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

RE:  Appeal for Action toward Nuclear Abolition

We are a group of nineteen Canadian NGOs active in the field of international security and disarmament.  Having just concluded a roundtable in Ottawa on October 23 under the title “Advancing Nuclear Disarmament in a Chaotic World”, we wanted to share with your government some of the prominent themes and proposals for action that emerged from the discussion.

No one would dispute that we are experiencing a turbulent time in international affairs with long standing norms for responsible state behaviour being eroded and, in some cases, openly flouted. A dangerous arms race dynamic is underway amongst rival powers and the norm of nuclear non-proliferation is under great stress. The proponents of nuclear weapons are ascendent and the supporters of nuclear restraint and disarmament are struggling to have their voice heard.

It is all the more crucial therefore during this period of great power competition for middle powers such as Canada to exert a moderating influence and work to reinforce the multilateral system and the rule of law. The following are a few proposals for Canada to consider championing as we collectively navigate the treacherous waters ahead.

A key near term goal is to help ensure a successful eleventh review conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) which will be held in April/May of next year. The NPT has often been described as the “cornerstone” of the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. After two consecutive review conferences have failed to agree outcome documents (2015 and 2022) much is at stake for demonstrating a significant collective result from the gathering next spring. Canada in concert with the Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), a grouping of non-nuclear weapon states, has pressed for an enhanced transparency and accountability procedure to be applied to the nuclear weapon states’ obligation to nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the treaty. The five nuclear weapon states have consistently ignored this proposal. The vast majority of NPT members cannot allow their rightful demand for accountability to be brushed aside again. We suggest that Canada in concert with like-minded states make acceptance of the transparency and accountability plan a sine qua non for agreeing to any outcome document from the review conference.

Within NATO we would encourage the government to promote the adoption by the Alliance of a “No First Use” doctrine. Such a policy adjustment would sharply restrict any consideration of use of nuclear weapons if the Alliance was attacked. Given its massive conventional military superiority NATO must avoid threatening a nuclear response to non-nuclear attacks against its members. By curtailing the scope of its nuclear deterrent, the Alliance would be fulfilling the NPT obligation from the 2000 review conference to reduce the saliency of nuclear weapons in security policies and help stem the pressure on the crucial norm of nuclear non-proliferation that current actions (e.g. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine) have created.

A treaty covering the fissile material essential for nuclear weapons has been an agreed objective of the international community for decades, but to date no actual negotiations have been initiated. This has been a result of the treaty being traditionally assigned to the 65 nation Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. The CD however is a moribund forum not having been able to agree and implement a program of work for over a quarter of a century. Canada has had a proud history as a leader in the effort to conclude a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. It is time however for Canada alongside other friends of the treaty to delink this negotiation from the CD and seek to authorize the commencement of negotiations via a resolution of the UN General Assembly that would not be subject to a veto.

President Trump in January of this year announced an ambitious “Golden Dome” project that would ostensibly protect the United States from all types of missiles from all corners of the globe. In our view, “Golden Dome” in its strategic ballistic missile defence aspect is a seriously problematic proposal. On the grounds of feasibility, effectiveness, cost and the risk of incentivizing a nuclear arms race the scheme should be dismissed. Moreover, its planned deployment of space-based interceptors would also obliterate the non-weaponization of outer space a long-standing position of successive Canadian governments. We urge the government to continue only with the existing plans for NORAD modernization in cooperation with the United States and stay well clear of the more fanciful aspects of the project which would represent a financial “black hole” for our limited defence resources.

Finally, we would like to encourage the government to remain active in efforts to reform the UN’s disarmament machinery. The abuse of the consensus rule has led to the wishes of the vast majority of member states being stymied by the opposition of a few. The trend of the General Assembly to adopt ever more declaratory resolutions, despite their repetitive nature, rather than authorize relevant action needs to be curbed. We applaud the calls for reform contained in the Canadian statement to UNGA’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security and offer the government our support in carrying these reform efforts forward.

We convey the above suggestions for priority action as part of Canada’s foreign and security policy with respect and in anticipation of receiving your reaction to them. We remain at the disposal of your ministers and officials for further discussion of these ideas.

Sincerely yours,

Earl Turcotte, Chairperson, Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (a group of 18 national and regional organizations)
Cesar Jaramillo, Chairperson, Canadian Pugwash Group
Alex Neve O.C., Chairperson, Canadian Leadership for Nuclear Disarmament
Branka Marijan, Interim Executive Director, Project Ploughshares

 

UPCOMING CNANW and related October 2025 events in Ottawa

October 12, 2025

Thursday October 23, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Award presentation to Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C.
by Canadian Leadership for Nuclear Disarmament (CLND)
for Distinguished Service in Nuclear Disarmament
followed by Mr. Roche’s Lecture entitled “Creative Dissent: A Politicians’ Struggle for Peace”
This is a public event with registration required using this link.

Friday, October 24 from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM 
Conference on “Canadian Security Interests and Trump 2.0”
Co-sponsored by Canadian Pugwash Group (CPG) and University of Ottawa Centre for
International Policy Studies (CIPS)
This is a public event with registration required using this link.

Saturday October 25
8:45 AM to 10:15 AM: CNANW Annual meeting
Participants:  Members of CNANW member groups
Location:  Brittany Salon, Cartier Place Hotel.
Registration required (link)

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Canadian Pugwash Group (CPG) AGM
Participants: CPG Members
Location: Brittany Salon, Cartier Place Hotel
Registration required (link)

12:00 – 1:00 PM:  Lunch
Location: Alembic Restaurant, Cartier Place Hotel
Participants:  everyone at CNANW/CPG meetings
Registration required (link)

1:00 PM – 3:45 PM CNANW/CPG Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy Forum
This year’s theme “Effective Advocacy for Nuclear Disarmament: Understanding Your Adversary” is intended to strengthen capacity to advocate in support of nuclear disarmament; in particular, understanding and making the most effective case against the doctrine of nuclear deterrence.
Contributors:  Mr. Guy Roberts (recorded), former official with NATO and the US Defence Department on nuclear weapons policies,
three Ambassadors to Canada or their representatives, and Mr. Alex Neve OC, Chairperson, Canadian Leadership for Nuclear Disarmament
Location:  Brittany Salon, Cartier Place Hotel
Public event for those who register in advance.
Registration required (link)

4:00 – 5:00 PM:  CPG Board Meeting
Location:  Brittany Salon, Cartier Place Hotel
Participants:  CPG Board Members
We do hope to see you in Ottawa in October for what promises to be an informative and
stimulating series of events. Safe travels to all!

The Douglas Roche Common Security Project: Invitation to a Youth Competition

September 30, 2025

If you are a 4th year undergraduate and/or graduate Canadian university student, this invite is for you.

The Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (CNANW) in partnership with Canadian Pugwash Group are pleased to invite you to a youth competition to award three bursaries in the amount of $2,500 each for the production of an essay and/or video. The outcome is to explore the move from a world where some nations possess and rely upon nuclear weapons, to a global security paradigm based upon a Common Security framework, without nuclear weapons.  

You will find here the application letter with all the details: CNANW 2025 Douglas Roche Common Security Project – Application October 2025

The dates to remember are as follows:

The deadline for submission is December 1, 2025, 12:00 pm ET.

The selection committee aim to announce the three successful candidates on January 1, 2026, 12:00 pm ET.

The three selected participants will have four months, to 1 May 2026, to present their completed project. 

For any additional information, please contact Dr. Sylvie Lemieux, CNANW Steering Committee member and Board member of Group of 78, at slemieux3599@rogers.com  or Dr. Arnd Jurgensen, CNANW Steering Committee member and Board member of Science for Peace at ajurgensen@sympatico.ca.

We are looking forward to your application.

Regards,

The Douglas Roche Common Security Project Committee

As world marks 80 years since atomic anniversary, Canada has room to lead

August 21, 2025

Earl Turcotte, CNANW Chair writes: Canadian diplomacy can and has had major impact on global affairs in the past, and the country is extremely well placed to take substantive action in support of the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States of America unleashed atomic horror upon the people of Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, Nagasaki suffered the same fate. Two rudimentary, and—by modern standards—tiny atomic bombs ended the lives of more than 200,000 people. Most were incinerated instantly. Thousands of others died in excruciating pain in the weeks and months that followed. The impact of these most violent of acts continue to reverberate 80 years later.

Read full opinion piece here: Turcotte –  Hill Times, Aug 6, 2025

 

CNANW Condemns Nuclear Threats; Calls for De-escalation and Total Nuclear Disarmament

August 5, 2025

Media Release

Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (CNANW) Condemns Nuclear Threats; Calls for De-escalation and Total Nuclear Disarmament.

Ottawa – August 4, 2025 –  On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th 1945 that claimed more than 200,000 lives, a network of 18 prominent Canadian NGOs dedicated to the total elimination of nuclear weapons has condemned recent rhetoric and actions by Russia and the US concerning the possible use of nuclear weapons.

In response to threats by the US to impose stricter sanctions on Russia for failing to end its invasion of Ukraine, former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, reminded the US that Russia has significant nuclear strike capabilities. Russian President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov and others in the Kremlin have also invoked the spectre of nuclear war on multiple occasions, in particular, should a third party directly engage Russia in defence of Ukraine.

Last Friday, in response, US President Trump said “I ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia. Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences”.

On behalf of the Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Chairperson, Earl Turcotte, condemned “this dangerous rhetoric and actions that will increase the already critical level of tension between and among nuclear powers”.

The CNANW believes that the open deployment of “nuclear submarines” by the US to strategic positions vis a vis Russia, will increase fear of a nuclear first strike – an option not ruled out by either nation.

The US and Russia possess approximately 90% of the global nuclear arsenal. The balance, by the U.K., France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.

Scientific modeling has demonstrated that the detonation of even 3% of this total would kill millions immediately and in the weeks and months following. It would also eject enough dirt and smoke into earth’s atmosphere to plunge the planet into a nuclear winter for more than a decade, resulting in widespread famine that could wipe out a third of humanity. A wider nuclear exchange could end life on earth as we know it, if not completely.

The world has lived with the threat of nuclear annihilation for 80 years, yet all nine nuclear powers are engaged in a new nuclear arms race – expanding and ‘modernizing’ their arsenals and introducing new delivery systems that many consider virtually impossible to defeat.  The US and Russia have also recently lowered their respective thresholds for the use of nuclear weapons. Add to this the risk of cyber-attack and/or non-state actors acquiring nuclear capability.

The ‘Doomsday Clock’ established by atomic scientists in 1947, is at 89 seconds to midnight, closer to ‘Doomsday’ than at any point in its history.

“This is insanity”, said Turcotte. “We are one miscalculation, accident or deliberate act by a profoundly misguided leader away from nuclear Armageddon.

More than 100 nations have already declared themselves nuclear weapons-free zones. It’s past time for like-minded nations around the world to impel and, if necessary, to compel nuclear armed states to reverse the nuclear arms race and enter into legally binding agreements that will result in the total elimination of nuclear weapons and the establishment of an effective monitoring system to ensure compliance, indefinitely. We did it with chemical and biological weapons. We can and must do it with the ultimate weapon of mass destruction!”

The CNANW urges Canada and NATO to begin to play an international leadership role to this end, and to do so on an urgent basis, as though another nuclear event were imminent. It very well could be.

Ottawa, August 4, 2025

——————————————————————————————————

For additional information, contact Earl Turcotte, Chairperson of the CNANW, at: earl.turcotte[at]gmail.com or by telephone at 613-839-2777

 *CNANW Member Organizations

Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility

Canadian Federation of University Women

Canadian Peace Research Association

Canadian Pugwash Group

Canadian Voice of Women for Peace

Friends for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention

Group of 78

Hiroshima – Nagasaki Day Coalition

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada

Peace Train Canada

Project Ploughshares

Project Save the World

Religions for Peace Canada

Rideau Institute

Science for Peace

United Nations Association in Canada

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

World Federalist Movement Canada

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