Donor Factsheet: Canada

CANADA

Global Partnership Member Status:

G-8 member, donor country, Global Partnership member since June 2002 G-8 Kananaskis Summit

MNEPR signatory? No

MNEPR additional protocol on liability signatory? No

Global Partnership Pledge: CAN$1 billion or US$743 million*

GP Pledge Breakdown:

· CAN$98.9 million for chemical weapons destruction

· CAN$120 million for nuclear submarine dismantlement

· CAN$32 million for environmental remediation of nuclear submarine dismantlement

· CAN$94.1 million for nuclear materials security

· CAN$54 million for former weapons scientist employment (approx CAN$18 million/year)

Analysis: Canada’s GP pledge ranks in the bottom third of G-8 Global Partnership donors. However, when comparing the ratio of Global Partnership funds to GDP, its contributions are similar in extent to the pledges by Germany, Italy and Norway.

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Legal Agreements

Canada and Russia signed their bilateral agreement on threat reduction cooperation on 9 June 2004. The agreement covers cooperation in chemical weapons destruction, disposition of decommissioned nuclear submarines, and accounting/control/protection of nuclear and radioactive materials. In late March 2005, the agreement was submitted to the Duma for ratification.(Source)
Prior to signing the agreement, Canada contributed its chemical weapons destruction funds through the United Kingdom's bilateral agreement with Russia. Canada and the United Kingdom have signed a second Memorandum of Understanding concerning the destruction of chemical weapons on January 19, 2005.(Source) The first memorandum was signed on November 19, 2003.(Source) Funds for ongoing projects will likely continue to be dispensed this way until new arrangements are negotiated or new projects launched.
Canada and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding toward the shut-down of a plutonium-producing nuclear reactor in Russia on March 30, 2005.(Source)

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Project Areas

In late May 2003, Canada announced its first wave of projects under the Global Partnership, totaling CAN$149 million. These were elaborated and added to following the June 2004 Sea Island Summit.

Chemical Weapons Destruction Overview ~ All Donors

CAN$98.3 million (USD$23 million) to support the construction of the Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility at Shchuch'ye. Canada is contributing up to $33 million for construction of an 18km railway connecting the chemical weapons storage depot near Planovy to the destruction facility at Shchuch'ye. The rail spur is required to safely and securely transport the approximately 1.9 million chemical munitions located at Shchuch'ye from storage to destruction. Canada has pledged an additional CAN$55 million (US $46 million), to finance the procurement of new equipment for the second main destruction building (MDB-2) at the Shchuch'ye chemical weapons destruction
facility. Canadian funds, which are flowing through the second Canada-UK MoU, are being used to purchase specified Russian-built equipment needed to destroy nerve agent munitions. This new equipment will double the CW destruction capacity of the Shchuch'ye facility.

Nuclear Submarine Dismantlement Overview ~ All Donors

CAN$300 million (US$240 million) is the planned allocation for dismantling submarines from the Northern Fleet. The commitment was increased from CAN$116 million in February 2005. The first installment of CAN$24.3 million ($18 million), agreed to in August 2004, is for assistance to defuel and dismantle three Victor-class vessels as well as for small-scale infrastructure improvements.(Source) Three more installments are expected for assisting in the dismantlement of an additional nine subs. The disassembled reactor compartments are destined for interment at the Sayda Bay storage facility, now being constructed through a German-led Global Partnership project. In April 2005, the dismantlement of the first Victor-class boat was completed in 6 months.(Source) The second unit has already been placed in a dry-dock for dismantlement.(Source)

With Canadian funding, the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk in Russia began disposal of the B-244 Viktor III class nuclear submarine in early November of 2006. Canada has allocated a total of CAN $100 million for the disposal of 12 multi-purpose nuclear powered submarines at Zvezdochka.

For 2005, CAN$32 million ($25 million) have been committed toward the second phase of the project. This includes the removal of the spent nuclear fuel from an additional four boats (each with two reactors) and the dismantlement of three submarines. Four further units will be towed to the Zvezdochka shipyard for the next implementation stage as well. All vessels in question are of the Victor-class.(Source)

In 2004, Canada had already donated CAN$32 million (USD $24 million) to ensure the safe and secure management of spent nuclear submarine fuel in northern Russia. Canada’s commitment comes in the form of a contribution to the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Canada is in the process of finalizing arrangements for the funding of a large number of projects, including increased assistance for dismantling nuclear submarines.

Nuclear Warhead and Materials Protection, Control & Accounting Overview ~ All Donors

CAN$4 million to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. Canada is the second largest donor to this fund.

CAN$10-20 million for physical protection of Russian nuclear material and nuclear facilities for 2004-5.

CAN$3-5 million for recovering Russian radioactive thermoelectric generation in lighthouses in Northern Russia.

Plutonium Disposition Overview ~ All Donors

CAN$65 million (USD$49 million) toward plutonium disposition efforts. Canada and key G-8 countries are negotiating the terms of a multilateral project aimed at disposing 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium. Canada’s contribution of $65 million will further this initiative to dispose of plutonium for thousands of nuclear weapons. Canada has contributed C$9 million to support a U.S. led project to shut down the last weapons grade plutonium producing nuclear reactor in Zheleznogorsk, Russia. The reactor, which is scheduled to be shut down in 2011, will be replaced by a fossil fuel power plant to provide an alternative power source for the surrounding region. This project reinforces Canada’s support for Russia’s plutonium disposition programs, to which Canada has already committed $65 million.

Scientist Employment Overview ~ All Donors

CAN$18 million (USD$13 million) annually for 5 years to fund the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow (ISTC), which helps provide work for former weapons scientists. Canada became a full member of the ISTC on March 1, 2004, as is now a Governing Board participant. Canada is also active in the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU).

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GP Pledge in Context

Canadian Global Partnership Pledge as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product: .0080%

Analysis: Canada's ratio of Global Partnership funds to GDP is average amongst the G-8 contributors. Germany, Italy, and Norway all have approximately the same percentage as Canada. The United States and Russia are the only donors with a higher GP pledge to GDP ratio. Canada's overall Global Partnership pledge, though less than most other major donors, produces a comparable ratio because of its relatively small GDP (Canadian 2002 GDP is substantially lower than all other major Global Partnership donors).

Canadian Global Partnership Pledge as a Percentage of Military Expenditure: .781%

Analysis: Canada's pledge as a percentage of military spending is the second highest amongst all GP donors, outstripped only by that of Russia. Canada's ratio is at least twice that of every other donor except Germany and Italy (at .479% and .415%, respectively). One reason for this is Canada's low level of military expenditures (USD$9.5 billion), the lowest of all Global Partnership donors.

Canadian Global Partnership Pledge as a Percentage of Official Development Assistance: 3.67%

Analysis: Canada's GP pledge relative to its official development aid is third highest amongst donors. Italy and the U.S. are the only donors with higher ratios (4.96% and 7.75% respectively). Canada's total Official Development Assistance in 2002 was the lowest amongst major Global Partnership donors, a contributing factor to its high GP pledge : ODA ratio.

For more information, including a complete table of figures and percentages with graphic comparisons, see the November 2003 Global Partnership Update.

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