OTTAWA - The Council of Canadians applauds the federal government’s decision not to join the United States' Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program. "However, we will be closely watching the Prime Minister to ensure that he abides by this commitment to protect Canada's sovereignty," says Guy Caron of The Council of Canadians.

"It's about time Martin listened to Canadians," added Caron. "Poll after poll has shown that Canadians are strongly opposed to joining the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence program."

The Council of Canadians recently conducted a cross-country tour on Canada-U.S. integration. In Victoria, one of the best-attended and most passionate stops on the tour, the organization heard from experts and citizens on missile defence.

"Citizens, scientists, academics, and policy-makers alike have warned that joining the U.S. missile defence program would be a fatal blow to Canada's sovereignty and to our ability to make our own decisions on defence and security," says Caron. "We're pleased that the government has finally heard and responded to these warnings."

"Yet there remain some clear indications that Canada may already have committed itself to supporting Bush's BMD program - without a mandate from its people," says Caron. "NORAD was recently amended to allow the monitoring not only of air space but of space. This change definitely facilitates the development of BMD."

"Canadians simply won't accept a 'join-by-stealth' strategy," adds Caron.

The final report from the Council of Canadians' cross-country tour, including a chapter on missile defence, will be available in April on The Council of Canadians' web site at www.canadians.org.

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