441-02264 (Foreign affairs)

Canada is deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and has long been committed to achieving a world free from nuclear weapons. This goal, as outlined last spring in the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament, is more salient than ever in the context of the deteriorating international security environment. Canada therefore recognizes that the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) reflects well-founded concerns about the slow pace of nuclear disarmament – concerns that Canada very much shares.

While not a party to the TPNW, Canada has common ground with its States Parties and shares with them the conviction that the total elimination of these weapons is the only guarantee against their use. For this reason, Canada remains steadfast in its support of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Canada continues to work tirelessly to advance implementation of the NPT across its three mutually re-enforcing pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

As part of the NPT’s review cycle (culminating in the 11^th NPT Review Conference in 2026), Canada has presented concrete ideas, in the form of a public working paper, to foster more transparency, accountability, and inclusion. Further, cross-regional groups to which Canada belongs—such as the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative—have also put forward pragmatic proposals on disarmament, risk reduction, transparency, reporting, and other measures that garner widespread support amongst NPT State Parties. Canada will continue to focus on these initiatives, which engage constructively with the nuclear weapon states, as well as on other multilateral initiatives, which include commencing long overdue negotiations on a treaty banning the production of the fissile materials for nuclear weapons, achieving entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and building global capacity for disarmament verification.

Canada remains deeply disappointed that Russia blocked consensus at the August 2022 NPT Review Conference, its failure to accept responsibility for the grave situation around Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, and its repeated and ongoing targeting of Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure. Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its announced deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, its posture of strategic intimidation and its undermining of arms control regimes are unacceptable. Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible. Canada also deeply regrets Russia’s decision to withdraw its ratification of the CTBT. Canada also strongly supports the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) continued presence and call for unfettered access to all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites.

Canada has also joined our G7 allies in strongly condemning North Korea’s continuing build-up of its unlawful weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs; repeatedly demanding that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other WMD and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs); and reiterating calls for the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Canada also remains gravely concerned about the destabilizing actions of the Iranian regime and remains determined that Iran must never develop nuclear weapons. We have reiterated our call for Iran to cease the escalation of its nuclear program, which has no credible civilian justification and brings it dangerously close to actual weapon-related activities. The Iranian regime must fulfill its legal obligations and political commitments regarding nuclear non-proliferation with prompt action, including the full and unconditional cooperation with the IAEA.