World Uranium Symposium 2015 DECLARATION

VOL XXI, NO. 1, SPRING 2015

Physicians for Global Survival (Canada) Médecins pour la Survie Mondiale

World Uranium Symposium 2015 DECLARATION ...

INSIDE Acknowledging that in 1943 Quebec City was the President’s Letter / La Lettre du Président . . 2 site where the United States, the United Kingdom, and From Hiroshima to Fukushima to You . . . . 3 Canada entered into a formal cooperation agreement World Uranium Symposium Report . . . . .4 to develop the first atomic bombs, resulting in the Greenland & Nunavut vs Uranium Mining . . 5 Radiation & Health Workshop Report . . . . 6 bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945; Japanese Visitors in Oakville ...... 6 Respecting the moratorium imposed by the Cree A Tale of Two Atomic Cities ...... 7 Nation of Eeyou Istchee in Northern Quebec on all NGO Presentation to UN Delegates . . . . . 8 Report on the Canada-India Nuclear Deal ...... 9 uranium-relatedWorld Uranium activities Symposium on their lands; 2015: supporting NPT Review Conference Outcome ...... 9 the demand for a moratoriumpage 4 by the Assembly of First Halifax Joins Mayors for Peace Campaign . .10 Nations of Quebec and Labrador, as well as the large The PGS Top 40 ...... 10 consensus againstFull uranium text ofmining the as expressed by Ground Zero to Global Zero ...... 11 World Uranium Symposium 2015 Global Wave 2015 ...... 11 the Inuit of NunavikDeclaration: and over 300 municipalities and PGS Membership/Support Form ...... 11 organizationshttp://uranium2015.com/en/news/ across the province of Quebec; Canada Works Toward Nuclear Abolition . . 12 quebec-declaration-uranium about the nuclear threat? Do you feel that President’s Letter nuclear weapons and nuclear power are two by Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin sides of the same coin and should be tackled simultaneously? Do you feel strongly about ear donors one but less about the other? PGS National Office D and members, Sure, we have always tried to 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2A 4A1 We’d like to communicate with you – through Turning Tel. (613) 233-1982 know you better. Point, our fundraising letters and our E-mail: [email protected] PGS has Website: www.pgs.ca electronic listserve – and have been undergone many fortunate enough to meet some of you at Administrative Officer: Andrea Levy changes since its Bookkeeper: Carol Harrison workshops and conferences. Andrea Levy, inception. We Executive Committee: from our office, has spoken with many of President: Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin experienced the thrill you. But the time has come to ask for your Secretary: Dr. Richard Denton of seeing IPPNW direct feedback and guidance on how we Treasurer: Dr. Vinay Jindal win the Nobel Peace PGS President can improve and move forward. Please share Prize and the joy of Board Members: Dr. Juan Carlos your ideas by email or by phoning our office. Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin, Dr. Nancy Covington, Chirgwin seeing the Berlin wall We are looking forward to your observations Dr. Richard Denton, Dr. Jonathan Down, dismantled. Board Dr. Michael Dworkind, Dr. Vinay Jindal, and suggestions. Dr. Cathy Vakil directors changed throughout the decades As you might have noticed, PGS is and our focus was broadened to include all Turning Point Design: never idle. In April 2015, we were one of Miriam MacPhail, CGD/SGDC aspects of the nuclear cycle. But one thing the main organizers of the World Uranium Editor: Andrea Levy hasn’t changed: the palpable threat of nuclear Symposium that took place in Quebec City. Turning Point is the newsletter of Physicians for doom, which remains very real today. Those of you who attended the three-day Global Survival (Canada), a non-profit organization. What about you? Are you still concerned international event can attest to its great To receive Turning Point and support our work we invite you to join PGS. Any items for publication, such as articles, cartoons, photos or advertisements, should be submitted lettres de souscription et de notre liste to the National Office for consideration (in English Mot du Président de diffusion électronique – et avons eu la or French). Manuscripts should be relevant to the par Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin Mission Statement, but do not have to conform chance de rencontrer certains d’entre vous strictly to present PGS policy. They must be lors d’ateliers et de conférences. Beaucoup transmitted via e-mail to: [email protected]. hers donateurs, chers membres, d’entre vous ont pu parler à la responsable “Because of our concern for global health, we are C Nous aimerions mieux vous de notre bureau, Andrea Levy. Mais le committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons, connaître. moment est venu de vous demander de the prevention of war, and the promotion of MSM a beaucoup changé depuis sa non-violent means of conflict resolution and nous dire comment vous voudriez que social justice in a sustainable world.” fondation. Nous avons eu le plaisir de voir MSM s’améliore et progresse. Faites- “En raison de notre préoccupation pour la santé l’IPPNW recevoir le Prix Nobel de la paix nous part de vos idées par courriel ou par mondiale, nous sommes déterminés à faire interdire et la joie de voir tomber le mur de Berlin. téléphone. Nous avons hâte de recevoir vos les armes nucléares, à prévenir la guerre, à promouvoir Au cours des décennies, notre conseil commentaires et vos suggestions. des moyens pacifiques de résolution de conflit et à d’administration a connu une succession instaurer la justice sociale dans un monde viable.” Comme vous l’avez peut-être déjà de membres et de présidents et nous avons constaté, MSM ne se repose jamais sur Affiliate of / Filiale de: élargi notre champ d’intervention de ses lauriers. En avril 2015, nous avons International Physicians manière à y inclure toutes les phases du été l’un des principaux organisateurs du for the Prevention of Nuclear War cycle nucléaire. Mais une chose n’a jamais Symposium mondial sur l’uranium qui a eu changé : la très concrète menace nucléaire, lieu dans la ville de Québec. Ceux et celles toujours présente aujourd’hui. d’entre vous qui ont assisté à cet évènement Et vous ? La menace nucléaire vous international peuvent témoigner de son inquiète-t-elle toujours ? Pensez-vous que énorme succès. Pendant trois jours, le This issue of Turning Point is printed on les armes nucléaires et l’énergie nucléaire 100% recycled, Processed Chlorine Free, symposium s’est penché sur l’ensemble de FSC Certified paper. sont les deux faces d’une même médaille la filière nucléaire – de la mine d’uranium et qu’il faut s’occuper des deux en même à l’arme de destruction massive. Nombre Cover Photo: temps ? Est-ce que l’une d’elles vous de conférenciers, d’artistes et de militants World Uranium Symposium delegates interpelle davantage que l’autre ? renommés se sont joints aux représentants in front of the Quebec Legislature. Certes, nous avons toujours tenté de des peuples autochtones venus de communiquer avec vous – par l’entremise quatre continents pour présenter leurs de notre bulletin, Turning Point, de nos observations, leurs découvertes et leur

2 Turning Point Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 success. The Symposium covered the need to adopt safe and sustainable entire uranium fuel chain, from mining practices regarding the storage of From Hiroshima pit to weapon of mass destruction. Many radioactive waste. The symposium’s renowned speakers, artists, activists and conclusion echoed PGS’s consistent to Fukushima Indigenous Peoples from four continents message: the best place for uranium is in presented their findings and experiences the ground, in its natural state. Leave it to You at plenaries and workshops. On the last there; do not mine it. Physics was never my favorite day, Indigenous Peoples took centre stage From April 27 to May 22, 2015, the subject in high school. It and Grand Council Chiefs voiced their Non-Proliferation Treaty Review took was far too abstract and opposition to uranium mining on their place in New York City. Prior to the talks, vague. It never made sense lands. The same message came from Mali, the UN disarmament chief was served when compared to biology Mongolia, South Africa and Australia. with a petition of 8 million signatures, where you could touch and dissect things. Thanks to our staff’s hard work demanding a total ban on nuclear Nevertheless, it was a requirement since last fall, to raise funds and weapons. In December 2010, Canada’s for entry to medical school, and so I arrange invitations for international House of Commons unanimously passed reluctantly grappled with the concepts of speakers, PGS donations earned us a motion supporting a nuclear weapons atomic numbers and radioactive decay. Prestige status, the top sponsorship convention. Has this motion been Even during my medical training, level for the symposium. Many thanks forgotten? We encourage you to write your radiation science wasn’t addressed in for your commitment and generosity; MP* to inquire where the government of terms of health and disease. your donations made all of this possible. Canada now stands on this issue. From Hiroshima to Fukushima to You – Together we have made a significant Again, thank you for your support. A Primer on Radiation and Health by contribution to the national and Please contact us with your observations Dr Dale Dewar and Florian Oelck fills international effort to inform the public and suggestions for the road ahead. We an important gap. Not only does it make and advise governments of the urgent look forward to hearing from you. the physics understandable, it links the abstract world of ionizing radiation to the real world of nuclear weapons, reactors and vécu dans une série d’ateliers et de conclusion du symposium est la même everything in between. séances plénières. Le dernier jour, les que celle que MSM diffuse depuis Medical students and residents need peuples autochtones étaient à l’honneur longtemps : la meilleure place pour to know what this book has to say. Indeed, et les chefs des Grand conseils ont l’uranium, c’est sous terre, à l’état naturel. all physicians could benefit from bringing exprimé leur ferme opposition à toute Il faut le laisser en place, ne plus l’extraire. themselves up to speed on this vitally exploitation de l’uranium sur leurs terres. Du 27 avril au 22 mai 2015, la ville important topic. C’est aussi le message qu’ont livré les de New York a accueilli la Conférence The humanitarian consequences représentants du Mali, de Mongolie, d’examen du Traité de non-prolifération of a nuclear event—either intentional or d’Afrique du Sud et d’Australie. nucléaire. Avant la Conférence, le unintentional—are simply unacceptable. Le travail acharné de notre personnel, responsable des Nations-Unies pour With that as a starting point medical qui depuis l’automne dernier a levé des le désarmement nucléaire s’était vu schools and the institutions of organized fonds pour le symposium et coordonné remettre une pétition de huit millions de medicine must engage and provide civic les invitations aux conférenciers signatures exigeant l’interdiction totale leadership. internationaux, a valu à MSM d’obtenir des armes nucléaires. En décembre PGS sponsored copies of the Primer le statut « Prestige », le plus haut niveau 2010, la Chambre des communes du were presented to Cliff de reconnaissance du travail des Canada avait unanimement adopté une Cornish, librarian for the commanditaires. Merci encore pour motion de soutien à une convention sur Island Medical Program in votre engagement et votre générosité; les armes nucléaires. L’a-t-on oublié ? Victoria and to Robert Melrose ce sont vos dons qui ont rendu le Je vous engage à écrire à votre député ** the librarian for the College symposium possible. Ensemble, nous pour connaître la position actuelle du of Physicians and Surgeons avons grandement contribué à l’effort gouvernement sur cet enjeu. of BC in Vancouver. The national et international d’information Encore une fois, merci pour plan is to place a copy of the et de sensibilisation du public et des votre appui. Faites-nous part de vos Primer in each medical school gouvernements sur l’urgent besoin observations et de vos suggestions pour across the country and in as d’adopter des pratiques sécuritaires la suite de notre action. Nous avons hâte many medical libraries and et viables à long terme en matière de d’avoir de vos nouvelles. institutions as possible. stockage des déchets radioactifs. La If you are able to help by visiting your local medical librarian with a copy of the Primer in hand, please let us know. * http://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers.aspx?Language=E Dr. Jonathan Down ** http://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers.aspx?Language=F

Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Turning Point 3 The World Uranium Symposium April 14–16 / Centre de Congres, Quebec City

Matthew CoonCome, traditions and the threat to our most The closing Grand Chief of the valuable natural resource, WATER. plenary Grand Council of Canada’s role in the uranium industry welcomed a Cree from Quebec goes back a long way. Quebec City was very special and Labrador, opened the site of the highly secretive military guest, Quebec The World Uranium conference in August 1943 between icon Gilles Symposium, followed Prime Ministers Mackenzie King, Vigneault, by an address, via Winston Churchill and President Franklin who sang his skype, by former D. Roosevelt to discuss the development Gilles Vigneault song entitled Matthew CoonCome Japanese Prime of the atomic bomb. The US and the Uranium* and Minister, Naoto Kan (who governed UK had the technology but Canada had ended with during the Fukushima disaster). Their the uranium. Canada provided 90% of another speech messages and that of all other presenters the uranium for the first atomic bombs by Matthew were very similar: uranium represents produced in the US. CoonCome, a universal risk to our health, security We were all aghast to learn that even more and environment, and no amount while we were hearing about the perils passionate of technological advances has been of uranium, Canada was in the midst of than his sufficient to render this industry safe. selling uranium, once again, to India, a opening speech. The international aspect of the country that has not signed the Nuclear Matthew CoonCome Conference symposium offered participants a Non-Proliferation Treaty. (Press release signing the participants worldview of the problem ranging from issued available on www.pgs.ca) symposium's final then signed the congenital birth defects in India, and French nuclear energy consultant, declaration symposium’s Mongolian activists being persecuted Mycle Schneider demonstrated a final declara for protesting departure from nuclear power and tion, a map for human and planetary contamination presented solar energy as a realistic survival as we search for sustainable of rural lands, to alternative today. Professor Brigitte solutions. (Available at www.pgs.ca) hippos wallowing in Guerin explained a cyclotron’s role Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin radioactive tailings in producing radioactive isotopes for ponds in South Africa. medical imaging and diagnostics. At her Dr. Michael Dworkind * http://fr.lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/ Spokespersons from hospital in Sherbrooke, QC, the cyclotron and Dr. Richard Gilles_Vigneault/Uranium around the country facility supplies all the hospital’s needs. Denton, board described the effects Displaced by solar power and the cyclo members of PGS at of uranium mining tron, nuclear energy can now be aban Symposium on communities’ doned, being more dangerous than useful. Did You Know? IPPNW Germany authored “Body Count” a thorough investigation into the death and destruction inflicted upon Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan from the “War on Terror”. PGS and Physicians for Social Responsibility, released the latest edition of this publication on March 19, 2015; the 12th anniversary of the second Cree Nation Youth Council – part of a group of 20 that walked 850 Km from their invasion of Iraq by US forces. village in northern Quebec to Montreal in December 2014 to protest uranium mining The full report is available on the PGS in their community. The chair of the Youth Council ( at podium ), Joshua Isherhoff, website, www.pgs.ca said that uranium exploration has caused irreparable damage to the watershed.

4 Turning Point Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Greenland and Nunavut and the Fight Against Uranium Mining

The World Uranium Symposium was Economic growth and jobs vs the possibility of the mine going through, an exciting and inspiring conference for environmental degradation and health but sends a message to Bernard Valcourt, all. The workshop entitled Greenland risks to local communities are themes that the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and and Nunavut: Uranium Issues and Inuit recur worldwide with respect to uranium Northern Development that the health Community Responses was eye-opening mining, and most of the time this involves of the people and caribou in the region for many listeners as most people living aboriginal rights. should be paramount. in southern Canada know little about Sara Olsvig, an articulate speaker The situation in Greenland and Nunavut and Greenland. Sara Olsvig and committed environmentalist, spoke in Nunavut exemplify the struggles from Greenland and Hila Tagoona from eloquently at the workshop about how her of aboriginal people worldwide to be Nunavut were inspiring speakers during party is working hard to reinstate the ban heard over the interests of large mining this workshop. on uranium mining which was repealed companies. With nuclear energy on Sara Olsvig is the by the majority party in 2013. Her party is the decline globally, and the need for leader of the Inuit part of a coalition government that is often medical isotopes being met by other Ataqatigiit political at loggerheads within itself regarding this means, the future of uranium is tenuous party which has had important issue. as world prices continue to drop. As increasing electoral A remarkably similar story is unfolding aboriginal people everywhere fight for support in the past few in Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada. The their land rights and for protection of years. As an MP from French corporation AREVA proposed a their environment, we will hopefully see Greenland she also uranium mine and milling operation (the successes, such as what enfolded in Baker occupies one of two seats “Kiggavik Uranium Mine” Project) 80 km Lake, occur in other places around the in the Danish parliament west of Baker Lake, an Inuit town of 1800 world, including Greenland. since 2011. located 320 km inland from Hudson Bay. Eighty percent of Hilu Tagoona, a Dr. Cathy Vakil, Sara Olsvig Greenland’s population Caribou Inuit Board of Directors of PGS; (total 50,000) is Inuit. Greenland was and member of Assistant Professor in originally a Danish colony, and in 2008 Makita (a public Dept. of Family Medicine, Greenland voted in favour of the Self interest group Queen’s University Government Act, giving Greenlanders representing more autonomy with respect to many the interests aspects of their lives. However this also of the people Murray Thomson at the CANSEC resulted in diminishing financial backing of Nunavut demonstration. 92-year-old Murray has from Denmark. The issue of exploitation with respect devoted his life to nuclear of Greenland’s uranium has become a to uranium abolition and peace. He hot topic, and there was a zero tolerance mining in the Hilu Tagoona has just published a book policy of mining radioactive substances area), spoke about the 800 Order of and oil drilling in place for 25 years prior about the continuing story of aboriginal Canada recipients calling to the 2013 parliamentary vote to allow people struggling to keep their sacred for Nuclear Disarmament. uranium mining. lands especially for the caribou, under PGS will honour Murray their own control. After six years of with the Tom Perry Peace public review, in early May of this year, the Nunavut Impact Review Board Award at a special event submitted its Final Hearing Report to the Saturday, September 26 – federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs the 2nd UN International and Northern Development and day against nuclear associated responsible Minister. weapons. After examination of the economic NOTE: PGS’ annual AGM will take and environmental impact of place on Friday, September 25. For more the project, the Board decided information contact Andrea Levy at that the project should not [email protected] or call 613-233-1982 proceed. This does not rule out

Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Turning Point 5 Radiation and Health workshop at the World Uranium Symposium

he topic of nuclear energy, nuclear defects, miscarriage, illnesses such as several recent robust studies looking weapons and uranium mining is heart disease and diabetes, and genetic at low level radioactive emissions from Tcontroversial with respect to politics, inheritable diseases if sperm or egg DNA nuclear facilities show that children economics and environmental effects. is damaged. These effects are cumulative living near these facilities have as But I would argue that ultimately over a lifetime, however increases in much as double the risk of developing the effects of ionizing radiation on these illnesses can be difficult to detect leukemia, and the closer they live, the human health are the most important when poorly designed studies are done higher their risk. of the consequences of the process of of populations living near these nuclear Dr. Fairlie also explained how the nuclear fission. The health effects have facilities. Because these methodologically ongoing leaks in reactors sometimes always been ignored or downplayed weak studies may not show health effects, spike when the reactor is opened for by proponents of nuclear energy, even pro-nuclear agencies continue to claim maintenance or re-fuelling, explaining the Canadian “watchdog” agency, the there is no harm. why such low levels of radiation can Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission The second part of the workshop was cause cancer. (CNSC), which is full of pro-nuclear presented by The emissions usually presented to “experts” who claim that nuclear facilities Dr. Ian Fairlie, the public are monthly or yearly averages, do not emit enough ionizing radiation an independent and do not take into account the to cause harm to the environment or to consultant on occasional spikes in doses which could humans living nearby. radiation risks precipitate cancer in a child. For more It is interesting and important to and a former information, see Dr. Fairlie’s website understand the basics of how ionizing scientific www.ianfairlie.org. radiation affects and harms the body. secretary The workshop made it clear This allows people to really understand to the U.K. that there is very compelling robust why even small doses, on a chronic basis, government’s medical research indicating harm can cause illness. Committee to populations living near nuclear Dr. Ian Fairlie In the first half of this workshop I Examining facilities. Canadians, and especially presented an outline of the basics of what Radiation Risks from Internal Emitters, Ontarians, should pay heed to these radioactivity is, what happens inside who discussed the research regarding findings, as the CNSC continues to be a nuclear reactor, how the process of health risks of populations living near intent on promoting and expanding our radioactive decay wreaks havoc inside nuclear facilities. nuclear and uranium industries. our cells, and particularly our DNA, He explained in detail, with excellent which then can precipitate cancer, birth illustrative graphs and tables, how Dr. Cathy Vakil

Did You Know? Did You Know? Japanese Visitors Greeted Radon, a gas that is Quebec is exporting by Oakville, ON Mayor a by-product of the hydro-electricity to the About forty members of Gensuikyo, including some Hibakusha, radioactive decay of US at 3 cents/kWh while were officially greeted by Oakville’s Mayor for Peace, Rob Burton, uranium, can seep Ontario residents pay on April 30th. The meeting was arranged by ICAN-Oakville. into homes invisibly. It 8.9 cents kWh. Why is The visitors had travelled to New York City before the NPT is the second leading Ontario spending the meeting to present over 6 million signatures of people calling for cause of lung cancer money to rebuild aging elimination of nuclear weapons. In Toronto, they visited City Hall, next to smoking. We nuclear power plants when and were entertained by Science for Peace at. They visited are seeing an alarming it could be buying hydro Oakville en route to Niagara Falls and presented the increase of lung cancer from Quebec? This could Mayor with a chain of paper cranes and spoke about their in indigenous people benefit both provinces and nuclear experiences. Other origami works and photos of in Canada and around is a much greener solution Hiroshima and Nagasaki were given to those present. the world. than nuclear. Dr. Barbara Birkett

6 Turning Point Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 A Tale of Two Atomic Cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Weapons of Mass Destruction by Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima and Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki. First published by Project Syndicate – TRANSCEND Media Service

On April 27 [2015], their citizens’ safety and welfare, take At the same time, people worldwide representatives of the a keen interest in this cause. The must stop regarding one another as Nuclear Non-Proliferation horrific, indiscriminate, and long-term untrustworthy enemies. That is why Treaty’s 190 member consequences of nuclear weapons for Mayors for Peace, together with a wide countries met in New York humanity and the environment cannot be range of civil-society groups, is striving for a four-week review of Kazumi Matsui overstated — especially when they target not only for the abolition of nuclear the 45-year-old pact. The densely populated areas. weapons, but also to cultivate a shared attendees would be wise The danger that nuclear weapons sense of belonging to a single human to consider an important will be used again, either intentionally family, regardless of our cultural, religious, fact: Although the NPT or accidentally, will exist for as long as or ethnic differences. requires its members they remain available, a conclusion Until now, nuclear-weapon states’ to “pursue negotiations reached at three major international national governments and bureaucracies in good faith” on nuclear humanitarian conferences and strongly have preferred to limit the disarmament disarmament, a wide legal affirmed by the United Nations. And it debate to symbolic measures that imply Tomihisa Taue gap still remains when it is scandalous that vast sums are being no deadlines or additional legally binding comes to eliminating nuclear weapons. It devoted to maintaining and modernizing obligations. They claim that the security is time for the NPT’s signatories to initiate these weapons at a time when budget environment is not mature enough to take disarmament negotiations. constraints undermine efforts to address bold steps toward nuclear disarmament. This year also marks the 70th pressing human needs around the world. We disagree. anniversary of the atomic bombings of The number of nuclear near- Concerted efforts — involving national Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on August 6 misses — accidents and miscalculations and local governments, universities, and 9, when citizens everywhere will have that have almost led to disaster — is workers’ unions, political parties, an opportunity to pay their respects to shocking. Moreover, such weapons and environmental groups, young people, the hundreds of thousands of people who their related facilities and components women’s groups, lawyers, and the business were killed or wounded on those tragic are attractive targets for terrorists. It is community — can change the world. days. This is also an occasion to honor a matter of no small public concern that But it is world leaders — in particular, the survivors, by supporting their call to international security still depends on those whose countries maintain nuclear eliminate all nuclear weapons, thereby “nuclear deterrence” — a doctrine based weapons — who must take the first step ensuring that no one will ever suffer as on mutual distrust that aims to keep the toward building confidence and initiating they have. peace through the threat of mass killings. meaningful cooperation on disarmament. We, the mayors of Hiroshima and Worse, there have been suggestions of Along the way, they can lay the Nagasaki, are but two voices among their actual use. groundwork for a new kind of security representatives from more than 6,600 Military planners who consider the use system — one that does not rely on nuclear cities in 160 countries and regions of nuclear weapons have probably given deterrence. worldwide who support this historic goal. scant thought to those living in the cities It is crucial that representatives Our organization, Mayors for Peace, was on their target lists. at the NPT review conference work created in 1982 as a way to transcend For too long, the residents of cities together to bring the rule of law to nuclear national borders and work together have been used as pawns on a global disarmament and close the gap in the NPT toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. nuclear chessboard, with little concern that has permitted the most inhumane More mayors are joining our cause every for the full implications of playing the of all weapons of mass destruction to year, and our determination to pursue game. But, as the public is educated about continue to exist. Mayors for Peace and its nuclear disarmament will only deepen in the specific threats that nuclear weapons civil-society partners will do everything the years ahead. continue to pose to the cities in which we can do to support them. The tragic tale It is fitting that mayors, driven by they live, that stance will be increasingly of our two cities should never become the their sense of responsibility to protect difficult to maintain. tale of your city.

Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Turning Point 7 NGO Presentation to the Delegates Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Conference Ms. Setsuko Thurlow, at the United Nations, New York —1 May 2015

Madame President, Committee of the Red Cross and non- sentiment is that Japan, as the only nation Distinguished governmental organizations such as that has suffered the atomic bombing, Delegates, Ladies the International Campaign to Abolish has a special responsibility to be at the and Gentlemen, Nuclear Weapons, and all of those who forefront of the movement to abolish On the cenotaph in have collaborated to organize the three nuclear weapons. These leaders, of the the Peace Park in successful International Conferences nations that both introduced the nuclear Hiroshima is an on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear age to the world and have the most inscription that Setsuko Weapons. intimate knowledge of the humanitarian Thurlow, OC reads, “Rest in peace, At the end of the Vienna Conference harm that nuclear weapons cause, have the error will not be repeated.” Instead of last December the Austrian Government described a role for themselves that they pointing an accusing finger at the United unveiled the “Austrian Pledge” to fill are currently negating. States the statement treats the issue the legal gap for the prohibition and Not only President Obama and reverently and philosophically as a crime elimination of nuclear weapons. They Prime Minister Abe, but you, each and against all of humanity. This has become invited all NPT member states to support everyone of you NPT member delegates, the prayer and vow of many survivors the Pledge so that meaningful discussion agreed to Article 6 of this Treaty “to who are determined to make sure that the could take place at this Review Conference. pursue negotiations in good faith on deaths of their loved ones have not been However, according to the news effective measures relating to cessation in vain, and that no other human being media, high-ranking officials of Norway of the nuclear arms race at an early date will ever have to suffer the inhumane, and Japan admitted that the United and to nuclear disarmament.” You are immoral, cruel and indiscriminate effects States shamelessly approached them and part of the decision making body for the of nuclear bombs. pressured them to refrain from supporting fate of the human community and your Over the years, I have travelled the Austrian Pledge. Japan, a loyal ally and responsibility is grave. Please break away the world to share my testimony as a dependent of the US “nuclear umbrella”, from the non-productive past record on Hiroshima survivor to help raise people’s has not yet signed the Pledge. disarmament. After all, the NPT is 45 awareness of the danger of nuclear This kind of contradictory behavior years old. The world is impatient. weapons. of words and actions by the Japanese As Foreign Minister of Sweden, People’s attitudes toward nuclear government has been deepening the Margot Wallström, has said, “If weapons have varied from indifference, distrust in the minds of Japanese people. the current mechanism and forum justification and denial to fear and outrage. In international politics this kind continues to fail, we will need to consider I find youth today more open and ready of arm-twisting tactic or sabotaging other possible avenues for bringing to learn the almost forgotten history of behavior may be common among the disarmament work forward.“ Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Never before Nuclear Weapon States and Nuclear It is the 70th anniversary of the atomic in my work for nuclear disarmament have Dependent States, but from the bombings and the 70th anniversary of the I felt such a sense of hopefulness and perspective of the majority of the people United Nations. We need to reflect once excitement as I do now. of the world such shady diplomacy is again on the meaning of Hiroshima and Why do I feel so hopeful? It’s because nothing but repugnant, and blasphemous Nagasaki and the meaning of the UN of the birth of a rapidly growing global to the lives of those incinerated by the Charter “to save succeeding generations movement with humanitarian initiatives bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. from the scourge of war.” in the recent years. This movement has In 2009, in Prague, President Obama On behalf of all the victims, from been reframing the problem of nuclear stated, “As the only power to have used Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the Marshall weapons from deterrence credibility nuclear weapons, the United States has Islands, French Polynesia, Chernobyl, and techno-military issues to the issue a moral responsibility to act” and he Three Mile Island, US down-winders, of the humanitarian consequences. The added “So today I state, clearly and with Australian aboriginals, Kazakhstan, result is a strong push for a Nuclear conviction, America’s commitment to Fukushima and many others; and Ban Treaty to achieve the prohibition seek the peace and security of a world on behalf of all of us in the global and total elimination of nuclear without nuclear weapons.” Several community, I demand to the leaders of weapons. Countries like Norway, Japanese Prime Ministers have likewise all nations: ban nuclear weapons, ban Mexico and Austria, and international publicly stated their support for nuclear nuclear weapons now! organizations such as the International disarmament. The often-repeated Thank you.

8 Turning Point Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Canada-India Nuclear Deal

oinciding with the World Uranium not been signed by India, Pakistan, deal with India because it is a democracy. Symposium in Quebec City this North Korea or Israel, the newest Nuclear meltdowns have occurred in Cspring, the Canadian government nuclear-armed nations. Canada traded democracies like the United States and announced a $350 million nuclear deal its nuclear energy technology in the Japan, yet we are being told to suspend with India. Prime Minister Stephen 1970s and allowed India to acquire the our belief that nuclear energy and nuclear Harper welcomed Indian Prime Minister nuclear bomb, thus driving Pakistan weapons are linked, unless we speak of Narendra Modi , who declared, “This to also develop nuclear weapons. With Iran. This hypocrisy does not make us [nuclear deal] is to save the world from four nations thus armed, Canada has safer in today’s world. Nuclear war by global warming and climate change.” contributed to a regional arms race. human error, miscalculation or intent, The Nuclear Non Proliferation Now it has closed another nuclear deal as well as the low-yield “dirty bomb” of Treaty (NPT) is not being respected with India. an ordinary non-state terrorist, are real by the nuclear weapon states and has Prime Minister Harper justifies this threats to our safety.

What the Nuclear Industry Says What the Nuclear Industry Says What the Nuclear Industry Says Nuclear energy does not emit carbon Alternative energy sources like wind and Nuclear energy is safe. dioxide and so does not contribute to solar are expensive and impractical. What is Not Said global warming. What is Not Said Radioactive waste pollutes our air, land What is Not Said Solar energy is now cheaper and more and water leaving devastation forever. It is true that nuclear reactors do not efficient than nuclear energy. Wind Increased incidence of cancers, stillbirths, give off carbon dioxide, but one must turbines and solar panels avoid the malformations and mental retardation consider every other aspect of the nuclear tons of toxic radioactive waste of the have all been linked to fallout from chain from prospecting and mining, to nuclear option, which occupies tracts nuclear testing and power plants. transporting the materials, conversion of arable land. Accidents can and do happen — are and building nuclear plants, fuel we going to learn from past mistakes or processing and storage ( and there is continue to jeopardize the health of our no safe way to store the spent fuel). planet and everything on it. A survey of 19 studies on Plutonium is produced greenhouse gas emissions throughout as a by-product in nuclear the life cycle of a nuclear power plant power plants, which can resulted in an estimated range of 1.4 then be diverted to weapon- to 2.88 carbon dioxide equivalent grade uranium. per kilowatt hour ( Co2e/kWh) Dr. Juan Carlos Chirgwin Prospecting and decommissioning were not included in these studies. Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT) Review Conference Outcome The recent Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Article 6 of the NPT, are not prepared to The Humanitarian Pledge, initially Review Conference was both a great relinquish their weapons. launched by Austria in Vienna, disappointment and a spur for new actions. Intolerance towards Iran developing December 2014, and signed since by Not even a watered-down final nuclear weapons is front page news, but 108 non-nuclear states (Canada is not a consensus document was approved, a blind eye is turned towards the many signatory), aims to overcome ”the legal leading to great frustration on the part undeclared ones that Israel possesses. gap for the prohibition and elimination of the non-nuclear states who have The talks stalled over the proposal to of nuclear weapons.” More and more been diligently working to see a ban on convene a meeting on a Middle East countries are calling for disarmament. nuclear weapons. They have honoured nuclear free zone. Israel rejected this We are determined to cease empty their pledge to stay nuclear free, while the proposal and, although Israel is not a promises and see real action on a nuclear states, despite promises made in party to the NPT, it was supported by the nuclear weapons ban. Obama’s speech in 2009 at Prague and in US, UK and Canada.

Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Turning Point 9 Halifax joins Mayors for Peace Campaign ith little fanfare and sparse effective is to demonstrate what a nuclear Humanitarian Law, published in 2013. media coverage, Halifax has weapon would do to “your” city, along The language used in the Wbeen declared a member city with showing the effects on climate of a summary of the 2010 Non Proliferation of the Mayors for Peace Campaign. nuclear weapon exchange. For instance, Treaty conference reflects that the Specifically, Mayor Mike Savage has climate change studies show that for a Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear now joined in solidarity with mayors “limited” war between India and Pakistan, Weapons is being understood on a of 6,374 cities in 160 countries around the environmental impacts would be felt diplomatic level. The fact that prevention the globe to state unequivocally that we for 10 years world-wide and two billion is the only avenue left cannot be avoided, together want to avert an unfathomable people would starve. which leads the way to a Nuclear humanitarian and environmental Such effects are termed the Weapons Convention or its simpler crisis caused by nuclear weapons. In “Humanitarian Impact” of nuclear version of a nuclear weapons ban treaty. doing so, Mike Savage has joined the weapons. Presentation of this type There is growing momentum to get 88% of Canadians who support a legal of material is changing the focus of on with writing such a treaty, with or agreement to eliminate nuclear weapons. diplomatic conversations away from without the nuclear weapon-have nations Aside from testing, nuclear weapons the rhetoric of deterrence. In fact two and indeed with or without Canada. have intentionally been used twice conferences on the “Humanitarian There is precedence for other treaties at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Impact of Nuclear Weapons” were held being written without full participation Yet there have been numerous well- last year and the third one is to be held of all nations. Some examples are the documented near-misses involving in Vienna December 2014. Officials from Landmine Ban Treaty and the Convention nuclear weapons. The probability of all the world’s countries were invited on Cluster Munitions. Diplomats of inadvertent nuclear weapon detonation is with 127 countries represented at the nuclear-have nations are reported to not zero, especially considering that 1800 first conference and 146 countries at the be embarrassed by the growing tide of weapons remain on high alert, ready to second. Canada made it to the second countries who say that the time is over- be launched at the stroke of a computer conference. ripe to abolish these weapons. key. Today the risk is considered to be Statements from non-governmental increasing because of fear of access to organizations are helpful. For instance, Dr. Nancy Covington nuclear weapons by non-state actors, the International Federation of Red Originally published such as Al Queda and ISIS. Cross and Red Crescent Societies realize in Chronicle Herald, Mayors for Peace and other non- they could not effectively handle a Dec. 6, 2014 (anniversary government organizations have stepped crisis resulting from the detonation of of Halifax explosion, in to deal with this perceived increased a nuclear weapon and have issued a Dec. 6, 1917) risk. One tactic that is proving to be terse statement, based on International The PGS Top 40 Physicians for Global Survival is public to nominate songs with a brief songs, how to vote, and how to comment introducing a new initiative to involve statement or opinion as to why the song on songs already nominated. PGS members and the public at large— is important to them and to the peace Those without internet access can we want help in identifying the Top 40 movement. contact our office in Ottawa for details at peace songs of the past 70 years—songs Nominated songs will be posted on (613) 233-1982. that have national or regional significance the website and the public is invited to Please send us: to the peace movement as reflected in vote for their favourite songs and express • Nominator’s Name PGS mission statement. their reasons for supporting the songs. • Nominator’s e-mail address • Abolition of nuclear weapons The quality of the comments is just as • Peace Song nominated • Prevention of war important as the number of votes • Name of Artist/Performer/Songwriter • Non-violent conflict resolution and together they will help form the • The reason this Peace Song is important • Social justice PGS Top 40. to you and the peace movement • Sustainable world (Environment) Please visit the PGS website — Watch for the announcement of our We are asking our members and the www.pgs.ca — to see how to nominate PGS Top 40 in Fall 2015.

10 Turning Point Vol XXI, No.1 | Spring 2015 Ground Zero to Global Zero: Hope After 70 Years 70th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6, 2015 6:30 PM (Hiroshima Day) | The Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto Toronto’s Hiroshima/ Nagasaki Day Proliferation and Disarmament, will the public and family-friendly. Coalition (HNDC) is comprised of peace and provide the keynote address. The event On behalf of PGS, I would like to community groups including Physicians for will include a Hiroshima-Nagasaki encourage our friends across Canada to Global Survival, Voice of Women for Peace, Day Proclamation from the Mayor of plan a community event, large or small, for Science for Peace and the Toronto-Area Toronto and performances by the Yakudo Hiroshima Nagasaki Day (August 6th and Interfaith Council. The HNDC continues Traditional Japanese Drummers, flautist 9th) to help ensure there is a strong, united to organize Toronto’s annual ceremony Ron Korb, the Toronto Raging Grannies voice across Canada for peace, humanity to commemorate the atomic bombings and the Pax Christi Chorale. Community and complete nuclear abolition. of Hiroshima and Nagasaki through tables including origami and lantern Please e-mail your Hiroshima-Nagasaki collaboration, volunteerism and donations; making will be open from 4:30–6:30 PM. event with details to Andrea at pgsadmin@ without municipal or government grants. The HNDC is facing several challenges web.ca to ensure it is posted on the This year’s event is entitled Ground this year as we struggle to organize our Physicians for Global Survival website. Zero to Global Zero: Hope After 70 Years event while the city prepares for the to reflect the positive changes occurring Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games this July Dr. Vinay Jindal in the nuclear abolition movement with and August. We hope our event’s central PGS Treasurer/ initiatives including the ICAN campaign location at the Church of the Holy Trinity Board Member; and the conferences on the Humanitarian will allow our international visitors to join Chair, Toronto’s Hiroshima/ Impact of Nuclear Weapons. Paul Dewar, us in remembering the horrific effects of Nagasaki Day Coalition MP Ottawa-Centre and Co-President nuclear weapons and the urgent need for of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- nuclear abolition. The event is free, open to

Nuclear abolition campaigners undertook a the world as world leaders gathered in number of actions at nuclear weapons bases New York for the 2015 Non-Proliferation and facilities in the United States and other Treaty Review. countries on April 26/27 as part of Global The Global Wave sent a message to the http://www.globalwave2015.org/news-2/ Wave 2015 — a world-wide action to ‘wave governments – it’s time to agree to a plan to 2015/5/11/global-wave-actions-from-nuclear- goodbye to nuclear weapons.’ prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons. It’s weapons-bases-and-facilities The Global Wave action swept around time to wave goodbye to nuclear weapons.

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CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF PEACE PHYSICIANS FOR VOICE OF WOMEN FOR PEACE INITIATIVE GLOBAL SURVIVAL provides a means for women to exercise promotes a Department of Peace and a is committed to the abolition responsibility for the promotion of Minister to advance a new architecture of nuclear weapons, the prevention world peace and justice, to create of peace that promotes a culture of of war, the promotion of nonviolent the mutual respect and understanding peace and assertive non-violence means of conflict resolution and necessary for the peaceful resolution in Canada and the world. social justice in a sustainable world. of international conflict. www.departmentofpeace.ca www.pgs.ca www.vowpeace.org

THE CANADIAN NETWORK TO PROJECT WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLOUGHSHARES FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM was established in 1996 works with churches, governments unites women to study and make known by representatives of national organizations and civil society, in Canada and abroad, and help abolish the causes and that share the conviction that to advance policies and actions the legitimization of war, and to work nuclear weapons are immoral and to prevent war and armed violence toward world peace; total and should be abolished. and build peace. universal disarmament. www.web.net/~cnanw www.ploughshares.ca www.wilpfinternational.org/canada

THE CANADIAN PEACE ALLIANCE CANADIAN PUGWASH GROUP WORLD FEDERALISTS is a coalition of groups addresses prevention and resolution of strives to maintain international working on peace issues, armed conflict including nuclear abolition peace and security, to prevent war, with membership from and nuclear and conventional disarmament, to respect fundamental human rights coast to coast to coast. control of the arms trade, the peaceful and the international rule of law and Canada’s largest umbrella resolution of disputes within and among to promote the economic and peace organization. states; contributes to the solutions for social advancement of all people. www.peace.ca/ socioeconomic and environmental www.worldfederalistscanada.org canadianpeacealliance.htm threats to human security. www.pugwashgroup.ca