United Church Social Policy Positions

Nuclear-Powered Submarines (1988, first)

WHEREAS nuclear-powered submarines will not increase our security; and

WHEREAS the use of nuclear technology for military purpose will be seen as being provocative and as contravening our previous agreements to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes only; and

WHEREAS the cost of nuclear submarines is not justifiable on any grounds, especially in view of unmet human needs; for example, the predicted famine in Africa this year:

THEREFORE be it resolved that the 32nd General Council urge the government of Canada to:

Cancel its plans to purchase and/or build nuclear-powered submarines;

Raise the level of Canadian aid to the developing countries from 0.5 per cent to the level of 0.7 per cent of GNP as promised by Canada at the United Nations, as a long-range commitment to security.

General Council: 32nd General Council, 1988

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 1988 ROP, p. 183

Nuclear-Powered Submarines (1988, second)

WHEREAS we affirm Jesus Christ as the life-giver of the world; and

WHEREAS submarines may usually bear arms and arms bring death, not life; and

WHEREAS the government of Canada has decided to buy a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines at an estimated cost of $8 billion dollars; and

WHEREAS the Canadian Centre for Arms Control and Disarmament released a study on February 24, 1988, which concludes that building, staffing, hand operating these submarines could drive the total costs to between 12.5 billion dollars and 14.8 billion dollars; and

WHEREAS a wide spectrum of organizations and individual analysts have spoken against Canada's acquisition of these vessels; and

WHEREAS in February 1987 the Soviet government proposed a treaty with Canada which would turn the Arctic into a zone of peace and ecological balance:

THEREFORE be it resolved that the 32nd General Council urge the government of Canada to:

1. Reconsider the purchase of nuclear-powered submarines;
2. Enter into discussion with NATO and our allies to explore the possibility of an Arctic treaty with the Soviet Union.

General Council: 32nd General Council, 1988

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 1988 ROP, pp. 183–184.