Question Period Note: Nuclear Disarmament

Nuclear disarmament in light of the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (August 2022).

• Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons. Our efforts are rooted in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This Treaty is the foundation for the global pursuit of disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
• Canada is disappointed that consensus at the 10th NPT Review Conference was blocked by Russia. Russia failed to accept responsibility for the grave situation around Ukraine's nuclear facilities, notably due to Russia's ongoing seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
• Despite the disappointing outcome, the groundwork for cooperation remains. Canada and other states parties reaffirmed the validity and integrity of the NPT. The draft outcome document represented an incremental step forward in a difficult international environment.
• Cross-regional groups to which Canada belongs put forward pragmatic proposals on disarmament, risk reduction, transparency and reporting and other measures that garnered widespread support. We are convinced that this work is not lost but will be carried forward.
• Our work is too important to fail. Canada will continue to work with partners and advocate essential steps such as entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and commencing long overdue negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons, a longstanding priority for the Government.

Our efforts are rooted in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This Treaty is the central international legal instrument on disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Canada has been unwavering in its support of the Treaty and its full implementation since its entry into force in 1970.

Canada shares the widespread concern over the slow pace by nuclear-weapon states on disarmament. Canada has worked determinedly with other states to make progress on disarmament. Canada is an active member of cross-regional groups such as the Stockholm Initiative and the Non-Proliferation & Disarmament Initiative. Both groups were instrumental at the 10th NPT Review Conference (August 2022) in developing concrete ways to advance Treaty implementation.

Canada is disappointed that Russia blocked consensus on a substantive outcome document at the Review Conference. Russia failed to accept responsibility for the grave situation around the safeguards, safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities, including its ongoing seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Despite the disappointing outcome to the Review Conference, the groundwork for cooperation remains. Canada and others reaffirmed the validity and integrity of the NPT. The draft outcome document, while not as ambitious as hoped, represented an incremental step forward in a difficult international environment.

In support of the NPT, Canada will continue to focus on key steps that are essential for nuclear disarmament. This includes starting negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, with the goal of prohibiting the production of fissile material for making weapons or other explosive nuclear devices.

The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is another crucial step toward nuclear disarmament. Canada consistently advocates for states that have not already done so to sign and ratify the treaty and has been instrumental in building the monitoring regime that has detected every nuclear test in the 21st century.

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