The End of Nuclear Non-proliferation Means Canada Must Nuclearize

By Ariana Gic

—

The idea that Canada should acquire nuclear weapons to protect our sovereignty and independence has become part of the public debate. Arguments are being made that it is an essential tool of our strategic independence. Discussions among experts about the importance and viability of Canada developing its own nuclear deterrent are growing.

For years, I’ve argued that not fulfilling obligations under the Budapest Memorandum (in which Ukraine gave up its nuclear stockpile for security guarantees), and not helping Ukraine defeat Russia, spelled the end of nuclear non-proliferation. And we are here.

When nuclear states consider non-nuclear states prey, and they use their nuclear capability to intimidate, coerce, and extort submission, non-nuclear states are left with no choice but to acquire nuclear weapons as an essential tool of deterrence and security.

Canada SHOULD consider acquiring nuclear weapons. Nuclear America is making credible & continuous threats to our sovereignty and independence. DC’s support for illegitimate separatism in Alberta makes abundantly clear that Trump’s talk about annexing Canada isn’t only talk.

The Trump administration’s actions enabling Russian genocide in Ukraine in the most heinous and cruellest of ways demonstrate that they are ruthless and will go to truly evil depths to achieve their goals. We should not wait to feel this on our own skin in Canada.

Despite our legal obligation to STOP genocide, Russian genocide of Ukrainians is NOT stopped, but observed.
Russian nuclear blackmail plays a critical role here. If RU was not a nuclear state, I believe Ukraine would have long ago received the support it needed to defeat RU.

Forewarned is forearmed. Canada sees the lesson. With the US – our former friend and ally – now a foe threatening our sovereignty and independence, and with the constant threat to our national security from nuclear Russia and China, Canada should heed the lesson.

The death of nuclear non-proliferation was not inevitable. The signatories of the Budapest Memorandum could have honoured their obligations. NATO could have implemented a humanitarian military mission in Ukraine. We could STILL stop Russian genocide of Ukrainians. We don’t.

Western nations chose the path of the death of nuclear non-proliferation. Now we must acknowledge that without nuclear weapons, when threatened, a nation’s existence is not guaranteed. Woe to those who choose not to heed this horrible lesson.

—

About author

Ariana Gic, Canadian political and legal analyst, Director, Direct Initiative International Centre for Ukraine. Sanctioned by the Russian Federation according to the Statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Personal Sanctions against the citizens of Canada, dated November 14, 2022
Facebook | Twitter