Canada

Country Spotlight

Canada does not have nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons or relevant delivery systems, and is a member in good standing of all relevant nonproliferation treaties and regimes. A significant producer and exporter of dual-use goods, particularly relating to civil nuclear applications, Canada also plays an active role in nonproliferation export control regimes.

Region North America

1984 Stopped hosting U.S. nuclear weapons on its territory

~9% Of the world’s uranium resources

6 Countries import Canadian-built CANDU reactors

$15.9 million U.S. dollars donated to chemical weapons disposal efforts in Syria

Nuclear

Participated in NATO’s nuclear mission between 1963 and 1984
Promoter of peaceful nuclear energy since establishment of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in 1952
Produced much of the world’s supply of molybdenum-99 for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment until 2018

Tutorial on Nuclear 101

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Nuclear 101

Tutorial on Nuclear and Radiological Security

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Nuclear and Radiological Security

Biological

Conducted research on offensive and defensive biological warfare during World War II
Tested American chemical and biological weapons during the 1960’s
Maintains the Canadian Safety and Security Program to research and develop defenses against biological weapons

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Canada Overview

Fact Sheet

Canada Overview

Missile

Does not maintain an indigenous missile development program
Possesses a limited arsenal for delivering conventional weapons, imported from the U.S.
In 2015, purchased missile defense technology similar to Israel’s Iron Dome

Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases

Database

Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases

Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems

Chemical

Participated in Allied chemical weapons research during World War II
Provided land for the United Kingdom to test its chemical weapons in the 1940’s
Is a member of the Australia Group and maintains strict export controls on dual-use chemicals

Canada and NTI Conclude Agreement to Help Destroy Chemical Weapons in Russia

Transcript

Canada and NTI Conclude Agreement to Help Destroy Chemical Weapons in Russia

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

See all Treaties & Regimes

NPT

The NPT is a treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons through the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

NATO was founded in 1949 and has 28 Alliance Members. Its member countries are committed to sharing the risks and responsibilities as well as the benefits of collective security.

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Nuclear Suppliers Group

The NSG is a voluntary association of nuclear supplier countries that works to prevent nuclear proliferation by implementing guidelines for nuclear and nuclear-related exports.

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Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) bans the use, possession, testing, and transfer of nuclear weapons under international law.

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Facilities

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List

NTI Seminar: Dr. Vincent Intondi on Lessons from the 1982 Disarmament Rally

How did the June 12, 1982 Disarmament Rally come to be? What is its legacy? And what lessons can we learn from it that will help bring us closer to nuclear disarmament in today’s complex world?

Whither New START: Implications of Russia’s Suspension of the Last Remaining U.S.-Russia Arms Control Treaty