October 5, 2006 :: CBC News :: News
The Canadian Senate’s Standing Committee on National Security and Defense stated in a major report released Thursday that Canada should become a partner in U.S. ballistic missile defense. The report, entitled Managing Turmoil: The Need to Upgrade Canadian Foreign Aid and Military Strength to Deal with Massive Change, responded directly to the allegations of the Canadian anti-missile defense lobby, which has thus far blocked Canada from joining the U.S. program. “The Committee believes that the lobby against BMD in Canada is based more on emotions than a rational analysis of BMD’s potential benefits to Canada,” the report stated. “An effective BMD system could save hundreds of thousands of Canadian lives. This Government should not make the mistake that the last Government made, by refusing to support the United States in this project.” The report went on to list eleven reasons why Canada should partner with the U.S. in missile defense:
- BMD is designed to enhance the security of North America as a whole—not just the United States—and the defence of the continent is clearly in Canada’s interests.
- The defence of North America—in partnership with the United States—is a Canadian responsibility.
- BMD is designed to respond to an attack by deflecting the attack, rather than by retaliating. Unlike the existing Russian defensive system, BMD will not produce nuclear fallout, because BMD missiles do not have nuclear warheads.
- Canada has not been asked to contribute funds or even offer bases to locate missiles—all we have been asked to do is support the idea and enter into discussions as to how we might best be protected.
- Recent tests against complex targets have proven successful.
- Non-nuclear technology that can shoot down costly weaponry is a deterrent, not an offensive weapon that will cause an arms race.
- Weapons in space are inevitable. Better we prepare for it now than be caught unawares.
- The Americans are going ahead with the program. Participation will ensure our sovereignty by giving us a seat at the table. If we do not participate, Americans alone will decide if and how Canada is protected.
- Canada has been the recipient of information on potential ballistic missile warning threats to North America for more than 30 years. The US is considering moving that function from NORAD to their US-only Strategic Command. Should that move occur, Canada would no longer be assured of receiving such warnings.
- Even if BMD does not work, why should Canada be concerned about something that is being paid for by America to defend the continent?
- Washington is going ahead with BMD and it might end up saving Canadian lives. If there is the tiniest chance that it could, why would we turn up our noses at the opportunity to be a partner in this project?
(Article)» Read the full report by the Canadian Senate Committee
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