I've never been a political party member, or activist, but I find I have become one in the last week.
It has finally sunk-in to my consciousness that Canada cannot any longer rely upon NATO to defend us from nuclear-armed adversaries; putting us in the same position, now, as Ukraine was after surrendering theirs.
We could trust NATO back when America sacrificed blood and treasure to defend South Korea and Vietnam, on the theory that any such aggression, anywhere, was a threat to the USA. I don't think they believe that, any more. It should have entered all our minds when Mr. Trump said 'You don't pay your bills, you get no protection', over a year ago, that we cannot trust to loyalty that must be purchased; our opponents might pay them more.
Thus, after 50 years as a dyed-in-the-wool lefty, anti-militarist peacenik, I find myself in the incredible and awful position of asking my MP to support a nuclear weapons program for Canada.
No, I don't imagine nuclear combat with anybody. In the modern world, possession of these devices has become a gesture that says "Don't even think of invading". Israel, for instance, has them, and is not imagined to be courting global war, just self-protection.
In closing, I would advocate at least discussing , in public, this "think the unthinkable" proposal. The mere discussion could change the rhetoric being bandied about.
Thank you for your attention.
Roy Brander, constituent