Costly Missile Defence Program Would Increase North American Security
The Green Party of Canada calls on the Canadian Government to take a principled international stand and oppose the U. S. missile defence program
TORONTO (PRWEB) February 29, 2004
The Green Party of Canada calls on the Canadian Government to take a principled international stand and oppose the U. S. missile defence program.
With cumulative North American missile defence costs estimated at $800 billion US, the Green Party of Canada considers this a terrible
Misallocation of taxpayer contributions to North American security.
More money worldwide is now spent on militarism than health care and education combined. “True defence is defence against pandemic outbreaks such as SARS and bird flu,” says Jim Harris, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “True defence is ending child poverty in Canada. True defence is investing in our education system – because education is the fuel of the future. True defence is working to solve the global environmental challenges. True defence is ending global poverty that feeds despair and extremism. All these investments would create lasting security for North Americans.”
“Government is all about priorities,” notes Harris. “A Green government will invest in Canadian’s priorities not in George Bush’s.”
“Canada is complicit in this misuse of wealth if we say nothing to our U. S. neighbours, let alone even consider joining in this absurd exercise of stationing missiles on Canadian territory.”
Canada has a worldwide reputation as a peacekeeper. This move by the Liberal government would violate that long, proud tradition.
The US missile defence program also violates the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the program will significantly accelerate a missile-arms war while still failing to provide defence from non-conventional forms of weapons delivery.
The Green Party of Canada is the party of cutting-edge ideas. Of practical solutions to pressing problems. In the coming election, it will field a full slate of candidates across Canada - the first time in history that every Canadian will have a Green option on their ballot. The Party has already recruited over 250 candidates nationwide out of 308 ridings.
