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2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-P048 Withdraw from Military Alliances with Nuclear Armed States
Submitter Names
David Heap and Glenn Michalchuk
This proposal was discussed in the workshop during Phase 2 of the VGM. However, there was not enough time for this proposal to be voted on in plenary by the members during Phase 2. Therefore, this proposal will not be included in the ratification vote.
Proposal
The GPC will promote:
- Canada’s diplomatic withdrawal from military alliances involving nuclear armed powers;
- The reorganization and conversion of Canada’s armed forces for defence within our border, and international peace-keeping, addressing ecological emergencies, disaster relief and humanitarian aid; and
- Forging new alliances with non-belligerent, peace-promoting states.
Objective
To foster world peace and reduce the threat of nuclear war by withdrawing Canada from military alliances involving nuclear armed powers, and repurposing military expenditures to national defence within Canadian borders, responding to national emergencies and promoting international development and co-operation.
Benefit
By refusing to participate in nuclear military alliances, Canada will reduce those alliances’ war-making capacity and legitimacy, and promote peace through non-violent coexistence. Reducing environmentally harmful military spending will make resources available for addressing the ecological emergency, international cooperation and peacebuilding while strengthening Canada’s capacity to respond to national emergencies.
Supporting Comments from the Submitter
Canada’s “defense” policy, in practice, is an “offense” policy. Our participation, as NATO members, in wars in the Balkans, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan has contributed to the deaths of thousands and resulted in a more dangerous world. Our increasingly belligerent tone with regard to China and Russia has helped deepen what has been called a “new Cold War,” one that could result in World War Three and the end of humanity.
According to National Defense Canada, our military spending, currently 1.31% of GDP, will increase by 70% over the next decade. Any increase in military spending weakens our ability to support the social and ecological programs Canadians need. The DND is the largest federal polluter (2020 study):
By reducing international entanglements and high-tech military hardware, we will be helping the environment by reducing GHG emissions.
This proposal is consistent not only with the GPC’s commitment to non-violence on an international scale, but also social justice (a peaceful world will also be a more just world, especially for vulnerable populations that bear the brunt of wars and the costs of military build-ups) and respect for diversity (seeking alliances with a more diverse spectrum of the world’s nations).
A strong majority of Canadians support our country signing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (as reported by
NANOS, April 2021), which the Trudeau government refuses to do. Withdrawal from nuclear alliances can only facilitate acting on the democratic will of Canadians in this area.
Green Value(s)
Ecological Wisdom, Sustainability, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity, Non-Violence.
Relation to Existing Policy
Add to current GPC policy G06-p43, replace G10-p07.
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6 comments
Unfortunately China and Russia lead politics of deception, use hostage diplomacy and execute dissidents. It is very much the reality, just ask the two Michaels who were recently released.
Conversation with Phillip Blaney
A world dominated by Russia or China is unacceptable, just as a world continuing to be dominated by the USA is unacceptable. Bullshit wars and dick measuring contests are taking time we don't have, and resources needed to save our climate. Are being spent to take lives. NATO and our media are contributing to systemic and institutional racism and make a JUST Transition impossible. What's happening in the Ukraine is terrible but what about Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and many other countries. This is clearly a case of worthy and unworthy victims. We should leave NATO.
Agreed! NATO membership is NOT helpful, to Canada or to the planet.
In favour, IF the intention of the motion includes withdrawal from our military alliance with the nuclear armed power USA.
Yes, the intention is withdrawal from military alliances with nuclear armed USA, i.e. NATO and NORAD, see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megsBRwOncE
I agree that nuclear arms are very bad but in the current climate they serve as a deterrent. Donald Trump said that NATO is obsolete. Putin himself could not express it better. It is better to divide the enemy of Russia. This way it can pursue its imperialist ambitions uninhibited. In an ideal world, with no evil, we could do away with military alliances such as NATO. In the meantime, in order to give small central European democracies a chance to remain free of Russian oppression, NATO is absolutely necessary and CANADA needs to remain in it to keep it strong. I am not just reading news, I lived through invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and feel I need to express my opinion.
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