Update on International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommsith, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Laos, deposits the instrument of ratification for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2019.

ICAN/Darren Ornitz. 2019.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons  (the Ban Treaty) is steadily advancing at the United Nations. The Treaty comes into effect when fifty countries sign and ratify it. Currently, 81 countries have signed, and 38 have ratified the Treaty. Canada has not yet signed. 

While Canada drags its feet, long-standing disarmament treaties are being torn up, and the world is embroiled in a new nuclear arms race. Decades of work to reduce the risk of nuclear war by accident or intent have been undone by the United States.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist set its Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. A handful of men hold the survival of the world in their hands.

Dr. Tilman Ruff, Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War has written an excellent article that summarizes the treaties that have been dismantled and the importance of the Ban Treaty at this time.

We encourage everyone to write to Prime Minister Trudeau to request that Canada sign the Treaty as soon as possible.

Please ask your Municipal Council and Mayor to sign the Cities Appeal to ask the Federal Government to sign the Ban Treaty.