Canada has \u201cabsolutely no intention\u201d of acquiring nuclear weapons, Defence Minister David McGuinty said this week, pushing back against renewed discussion about nuclear deterrence as global arms control and alliance politics face fresh strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions about nuclear proliferation have intensified internationally amid tensions inside NATO, sharper rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump toward allies, and the expiry on February 5 of New START, the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting, McGuinty said Canada remains bound by international agreements that prevent it from pursuing nuclear arms and stressed that the country has long been a non-proliferation state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Ottawa\u2019s focus is on strengthening conventional capabilities, including rearming, reinvesting, and rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces. McGuinty added that an emphasis on Arctic security would support Canada\u2019s ability to operate independently, even without a nuclear deterrent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issue resurfaced after retired general Wayne Eyre, Canada\u2019s former chief of the defence staff, raised the idea of not fully ruling out a Canadian nuclear weapons option during a private Ottawa discussion focused on sovereignty and military autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reports quoting Eyre said he argued Canada might never have full strategic independence without nuclear weapons, while also indicating it is not something the country should pursue at present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arms control and security experts cautioned that nuclear proliferation would carry significant political, diplomatic, and strategic costs for Canada, with limited practical benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They argued the central questions are not technical feasibility but purpose, credibility, and consequences, including the likely reaction of allies and the burden of sustaining a nuclear force, delivery systems, command-and-control infrastructure, and long-term stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New START, which limited strategic nuclear warheads and launchers and provided transparency measures, expired on February 5 without a replacement agreement in force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United Nations secretary-general described the expiry as a grave moment for international peace and security and urged renewed efforts to avoid an unchecked arms race and restore guardrails on the world\u2019s largest nuclear arsenals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada, like other non-nuclear NATO members, relies on alliance deterrence, including U.S. nuclear forces, for collective security. Recent debates in Europe about nuclear \u201cburden-sharing\u201d and strategic autonomy have been driven by concerns over Russia\u2019s posture and uncertainty about U.S. commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Canada, McGuinty\u2019s comments signalled the government\u2019s position that strengthening conventional defence and Arctic readiness, while maintaining treaty commitments and allied cooperation, remains Ottawa\u2019s path as nuclear risks rise globally.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Canada has \u201cabsolutely no intention\u201d of acquiring nuclear weapons, Defence Minister David McGuinty said this week, pushing back against renewed discussion about nuclear deterrence as global arms control and alliance politics face fresh strain. Questions about nuclear proliferation have intensified internationally amid tensions inside NATO, sharper rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump toward allies, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada"],"yoast_head":"\n