Tell government to sign nuclear treaty

Re: “Nobel prize won by group opposing nuclear weapons,” Oct. 7.

Congratulations to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2017. On their initiative, a convention was held at the United Nations in June and July of this year and 122 countries passed a UN treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons worldwide.

Canada and other NATO countries boycotted this convention (except the Netherlands, which abstained). The treaty is now open for ratification, and once 50 nations have ratified it, this groundbreaking treaty becomes international law.

We, as Canadians, must persuade our federal government to take an independent stand and ratify this important treaty. Canada used to be known for its peacekeeping role. Where is that now? Must we always follow in the footsteps of the United States?

Those of us who lived through the Second World War will remember the horrendous devastation of the two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945. They were diabolical and should never be forgotten. Are we in danger of this happening again?

Having been a peace activist for 36 years, I urge your readers to take this opportunity to tell our government to ratify this United Nations treaty now.

Daphne M. Taylor Member, Victoria Raging Grannies