No major federal party supports developing Canadian nuclear weapons, according to a Ukrainian Canadian Congress survey.
Blacklock's Reporter says the group had proposed building an independent nuclear deterrent as a safeguard against threats from Russia and future instability in the United States.
“Russia presents a serious and growing threat to Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic and to our NATO allies in Europe,” the UCC Survey Of Party Leaders stated.
“The future of Canada’s freedom and the freedom of Europe depend on our ability to defend our sovereignty and national interest.”
When asked if they supported Canada developing its own nuclear deterrent, the Liberal Party said it preferred “conventional deterrent capabilities,” while Conservatives cited “collective security.” The Green Party opposed nuclear arms entirely, writing, “Our focus is on diplomacy.” The New Democratic Party did not respond to the question.
The proposal for a Canadian nuclear program was detailed in the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ National Policy Guide published March 31, which argued that Canada should not depend on foreign powers for defense.
“To credibly defend our sovereignty from two neighbouring nuclear powers, Canada should develop its own independent nuclear deterrent,” the document stated.
The guide cited both Russia and a potentially unstable United States as reasons for pursuing nuclear capability.
“Where Canada’s geography was previously an asset in our defence, it is now a liability,” the UCC wrote.
“To our north we border a hostile imperialist terrorist state, Russia. To our south we border a Trump-led America that threatens our sovereignty and economy. Both are nuclear powers.”
Canada has nuclear expertise but has never pursued an independent weapons program. The country contributed uranium to the U.S. Manhattan Project and built the first experimental nuclear reactor but remained committed to non-proliferation.
Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons: China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US.
The UCC warned that Canada could no longer rely on the U.S. as a stable security partner.
“If the Trump administration can cut off one ally when it faces an existential threat it can certainly do so to another ally such as Canada,” it said, referencing the 2019 suspension of military aid to Ukraine.