Address by Minister Dion at the ministerial meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at the UN General Assembly

September 21, 2016 - New York City, New York

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

We have come a long way since nuclear tests were common, threatening the environment and reminding all of us what those mushroom clouds meant for humanity. But the threat remains.

As noted by others, North Korea’s most recent nuclear test, on September 9, has underscored the urgency and vital importance of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty [CTBT].

Canada condemns testing in the strongest terms.

Canada ratified the CTBT in 1998. We will continue to work diligently with the international community toward our shared goal of bringing explosive nuclear testing to an end.

But while entry into force of the CTBT is vital, it is time to finish what we started, as [Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization] Executive Secretary [Lassina] Zerbo has said.

The goal is a world free of nuclear weapons. But this cannot be achieved without getting those countries onboard who have these weapons. This is why an initiative for a nuclear weapon ban treaty that would not be supported by the nuclear countries, as well-intentioned as that is, is not the best way to proceed. But we really need concrete steps.

Speaking of concrete steps, I strongly urge states to join Canada in securing negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and to work toward the adoption of a fissile material cut-off treaty.

This treaty would represent a vital step—along with the CTBT—toward ensuring that new nuclear weapons are not developed.

After decades of stalling, that would be the resounding treaty that would place humankind closer to a world free from nuclear weapons.

Contacts

Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
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