CANADA WORKS AGAINST THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS AND MATERIALS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today tabled in Parliament the annual report on Canada’s contribution to the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.
“Terrorists are intent on acquiring weapons and materials of mass destruction. Canada is playing a crucial role in preventing them from accomplishing these extreme actions,” said Minister MacKay. “The Global Partnership is taking action to ensure these weapons and materials remain beyond the reach of potential proliferators who would use them to stand in the way of freedom and democracy. It is one of Canada’s most important security programs and a key international instrument to address this threat.”
The report presents Canada’s accomplishments in 2005–2006, including Canada’s work in the Russian Federation and other countries of the former Soviet Union. It describes the destruction of chemical weapons, the dismantlement of nuclear submarines, nuclear and radiological security, the redirection of former weapons scientists and biological non-proliferation.
The Global Partnership comprises 23 countries, including Canada, which has committed $1 billion over 10 years to address non-proliferation, disarmament and counterterrorism.
For more information on the Global Partnership Program, visit http://www.globalpartnership.gc.ca.
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