next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
Debates of the Senate, June 8, 1998 2. Atomic Energy of Canada 2.1 Aid and Information Supplied to Purchasers of CANDU Reactor-Safeguard of Signing Non-Proliferation Agreement-Government Position Hon. Mira Spivak: Honourable senators, a report in today's Ottawa Citizenmakes it clear that Canada has offered, and is still offering, technical assistance to India and Pakistan, violating the spirit if not the letter of our 22-year ban on abetting nuclear weapons efforts in those countries. What is more, we have welcomed Indian nuclear scientists based at cloned CANDU reactors into the CANDU Owners Group where they attend seminars and receive valuable information. However, their reactors are not subject to international safeguards and inspections and, according to authoritative Jane's Intelligence Review, India has extracted military tritium from its civilian reactors. My question for the government leader in the Senate, which I know he will be prepared to answer, is this: Should the government not be considering immediately withdrawing its permission for our nuclear experts to assist India and Pakistan until those countries agree to inspections, safeguards, and non-proliferation agreements? Hon. B. Alasdair Graham (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, that is an excellent question, and a very timely one. Senator Spivak mentioned the period of 22 years. I believe she is quite accurate in her time-frame. Canada terminated nuclear cooperation with India and Pakistan in 1976, when both countries refused to accept Canada's strengthened nuclear non-proliferation requirements. However, in response to growing worldwide concerns about nuclear safety following the Chernobyl accident, and I believe that was in 1986, Canada agreed to allow India and Pakistan to participate in what they call the Information Exchange Program of the CANDU Owners Group. Through this program, India and Pakistan had access to non-proprietary, safety-related information that was in the public domain. Then, in 1990, Canada was urged by the International Atomic Energy Agency, commonly known as IAEA, under international auspices to allow that agency limited safety assistance in order to address serious and urgent safety concerns at the Canadian supplied, IAEA safeguarded reactor in Pakistan and the two Canadian supplied reactors in India; all safeguarded under the IAEA. However, India rejected the offer, and no safety assistance has been provided to them. Pakistan, however, accepted the offer and a carefully managed program of limited safety assistance under the auspices of the IAEA has been authorized. This assistance is diagnostic in nature and is aimed purely at determining the safety of the reactors themselves. Senator Spivak: The point is that these Indian scientists at the cloned CANDU reactors are not subject to international review, and there is information getting through. I want to pursue that line of questioning perhaps at another time, but right now I want to move to another question, which is related: That is that the Department of Finance, again according to sworn affidavit, has not seen or reviewed the contract for the CANDU reactor sale to China, or the contract to finance the deal, even months after both were signed. Considering that Canadian taxpayers will be on the hook for the next 22 year to the tune of $1.5 billion for the loan guarantee supporting that sale, that revelation is astounding. The Ottawa Citizen also reports that the former minister of international affairs received no help or advice from his department before he cosigned the $1.5-billion loan guarantee. My question to the Leader of the Government is this: Why did the government rely solely on the salesman, that is Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the Export Development Corporation, for financial advice? (2030) Can the leader assure us that the government received more thorough and objective advice and analysis when considering its loan guarantee in the CANDU sale to Turkey? Senator Graham: I hope that I can answer that in the affirmative, but I want to bring more specific information to the honourable senator.
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects