SHARE
Canada’s Parliament unanimously called for deeper engagement with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons—yet the government remains silent. Now, a coalition of parliamentarians, senators, and a cabinet minister is demanding action. Will Canada finally listen and send an observer delegation to the next TPNW meeting?
Canada has long prided itself on being a champion of global peace and humanitarian disarmament. Yet, when it comes to nuclear weapons, its actions fall short of its professed values. Despite a unanimous motion passed by the House of Commons in December 2024 encouraging deeper engagement with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the Canadian government has failed to act. Now, a coalition of parliamentarians, senators, and even a cabinet minister—Nathaniel Erskine-Smith—is urging Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to send an observer delegation to the upcoming Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the TPNW in New York from 3-7 March 2025. Will Canada heed this call and take meaningful steps toward nuclear disarmament?
Why is Canada Ignoring Its Own Parliament’s Unanimous Motion?
On December 10, 2024—International Human Rights Day—the House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion recognizing the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha). The motion acknowledged the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and called on the government to take concrete steps toward disarmament, including enhanced engagement with the TPNW.
Yet, despite this clear and unanimous directive, the Canadian government has remained silent. Why is Canada ignoring the will of its own Parliament on such a critical issue? Canada cannot claim to support nuclear disarmament while refusing to engage with the only treaty that explicitly bans these weapons.
A Strong Call from Parliamentarians to Engage with the TPNW
Recognizing the government’s continued inaction, a group of parliamentarians, senators, and even Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has directly urged Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to send an observer delegation to the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW. Their letter highlights Canada’s proud history in humanitarian disarmament, the growing risks of nuclear escalation, and the widespread support for the treaty both among NATO allies and within Canada itself. The signatories are:
-
Members of the Federal Government:
- Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada, MP for Beaches-East York
-
Members of Parliament:
- Jenica Atwin, MP for Fredericton
- Lisa Marie Barron, MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith
- Alexandre Boulerice, MP for Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie
- Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway
- Leah Gazan, MP for Winnipeg Centre
- Matthew Green, MP for Hamilton Centre
- Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing
- Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster–Burnaby
- Andréanne Larouche, MP for Shefford
- Lindsay Mathyssen, MP for London–Fanshawe
- Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands
- Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona
- Alexandra Mendès, MP for Brossard–Saint-Lambert
- Mike Morrice, MP for Kitchener Centre
-
Senators:
- The Hon. Mary Coyle, Senator for Nova Scotia
- The Hon. Rosa Galvez, Senator for Québec
- The Hon. Mary Jane McCallum, Senator for Manitoba
- The Hon. Marilou McPhedran, Senator for Manitoba
- The Hon. Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, Senator for Ontario
- The Hon. Kim Pate, Senator for Ontario
- The Hon. Rebecca Patterson, Senator for Manitoba
- The Hon. Yuen Pau Woo, Senator for British Columbia
- The Hon. Hassan Yussuff, Senator for Ontario
The full text of the letter can be accessed here.
Why Is Canada Out of Step with Its Allies and Risking its Reputation?
If NATO members like Belgium, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Finland can participate in TPNW meetings, why can’t Canada? This demonstrates that participation in TPNW discussions is entirely compatible with NATO membership. In fact, joining the TPNW is also compatible with NATO membership. If Canada’s European allies can engage with the treaty while remaining committed to their security obligations, why does Canada refuse to follow suit?
Furthermore, Canadian cities—including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg—have all passed resolutions urging the federal government to engage with the treaty. The Canadian public overwhelmingly supports nuclear disarmament, yet the government remains out of step.
Moreover, Canada has a proud history of leadership in humanitarian disarmament, including its role in the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines. Given the growing risk of nuclear escalation—fueled by Russia’s nuclear threats, modernization of nuclear arsenals, and the weakening of disarmament frameworks—why is Canada failing to take a leadership role now?
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the first-ever nuclear weapons test. These historical milestones serve as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons and the urgent need for abolition. At the same time, renowned Hibakusha and Canadian citizen Setsuko Thurlow has issued a powerful call to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging him to take decisive action on nuclear disarmament before leaving office. Her open letter can be read here.
Sending an official observer delegation to the 3MSP of the TPNW would be a simple yet significant step for Canada. It would signal a willingness to engage in critical discussions on nuclear disarmament and align Canada with its allies and public opinion.
The Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW will take place from March 3-7, 2025 at the United Nation Headquarters in New York. Canada has reached a crossroads. Will it continue to ignore the TPNW, isolating itself from its allies and failing its citizens, or will it take a stand for a nuclear-free world? The choice should be clear: it is time for Canada to engage.