Disarmament is another area in which we lead by example. Canada has
been a strong supporter of nuclear, chemical, and biological disarmament.
In 1996, following the failure of a comprehensive ban on landmines through
the United Nations, Canada initiated the "Ottawa Process"
to rid the world of a horrendous weapon that cannot distinguish between
soldier and civilian, adult and child, a weapon that continues to claim
casualties decades after a conflict has ended. The "Ottawa Process"
has obtained a high degree of support from the international community,
and resulted in an Antipersonnel Landmine Ban Treaty that came into
being with the aid of 122 countries that initially signed the treaty.
The treaty enters into force on March 1, 1999. Canada’s well-respected
international reputation and the example we have set by destroying our
own landmine stockpile have contributed to this success.
