Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Defence Minister David McGuinty on Tuesday reaffirmed that Canada has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, pushing back against recent remarks by a former top military commander suggesting the country should not entirely dismiss the idea.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting, McGuinty said Canada remains firmly committed to international agreements aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. He stressed that Ottawa has signed treaties that clearly oppose nuclear proliferation and has no plans to deviate from those commitments.
The minister said the government’s priority continues to be rebuilding and modernising the Canadian Armed Forces through investments in conventional capabilities, rather than exploring nuclear options. “Our focus is on strengthening our military in line with our values and international obligations,” he said.
The clarification follows comments made on Monday by retired general Wayne Eyre, former chief of the defence staff, at an event in Ottawa. Eyre was quoted as saying that Canada should not completely rule out the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons, arguing that true strategic independence can be difficult to achieve without a nuclear deterrent.
However, Eyre also cautioned that nuclear weapons are not something Canada should seek in the present circumstances, acknowledging the political, legal and strategic complexities involved.
The remarks sparked debate over Canada’s long-standing defence posture, but the federal government has made it clear that its position against nuclear armament remains unchanged.
