Canada should not join the nuclear club

A Globe and Mail editorial argues Canada should not pursue nuclear weapons, saying the country has the technical ability but would face high costs and diplomatic risks, including jeopardizing the non‑proliferation treaty.

The Globe and Mail editorial argues that Canada should not pursue nuclear weapons and lays out why this would be the wrong path. The piece responds to recent debate after comments by retired general Wayne Eyre and concerns about U.S. security guarantees. It notes Canada has the civilian nuclear capacity that could enable weapons development but emphasizes the fiscal, diplomatic and moral costs. The editorial points to conventional defence models, such as Finland's approach, as alternatives. Key points: - The editorial says Canada should not join the nuclear club and warns that doing so would carry large financial and diplomatic costs. - Retired general Wayne Eyre is reported as saying Canada should keep its options open on nuclear weapons; the Defence Minister is reported as saying Canada has no interest in acquiring them. - The piece notes Canada has the technical ability to develop nuclear arms but says doing so would likely require uranium enrichment and delivery systems and could trigger sanctions if Canada left the non‑proliferation treaty. - The editorial argues conventional deterrence and reserve forces would better address likely territorial threats, and it references Finland's "porcupine" defence concept and recent Canadian military modelling about countering a hypothetical invasion. Summary: The editorial concludes that seeking nuclear weapons would risk international isolation and could undermine the global taboo on proliferation, making Canada less secure rather than more. It highlights conventional defence options as more practical. Undetermined at this time.