NATO and the Canadian Clause

 

By Bernadette Wyton 

In a time of sabre-rattling and NATO calling us to a “wartime mindset,” the image above, beautifully illustrated by Pauline Conley, offers a clause to give us pause over Christmas. 

Keith and I stumbled across the Canada Clause (Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty) in the underground nuclear war escape warren of the Diefenbunker, just before hitting its deepest inner sanctum, the great vaults of the Bank of Canada. 

Who knew it existed? Lester B. Pearson, architect of multilateral peacekeeping and namesake of Canada’s once lauded peacekeeping centre, also led Canada’s vociferous defense of NATO’s second article, known as the Canada Clause, committing them to minimizing conflict and promoting stability and well-being. 

It kind of sounds like what Peace Train Canada has been calling for!

In his address to NATO members at the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, Pearson begins by setting the context for Canada’s sweeping endorsement. 

“This virtual unanimity reflected the views of Canadian people who feel deeply and instinctively that this treaty is not a pact for war, but a pledge for peace and progress," he said.

He then defines the conundrum, confessing that although the treaty was born out of frustration and fear of Communism and that we must, of course, defend ourselves, “in doing so, we must never forget that we are now organizing force for peace, so that peace can one day be preserved without force.” 

This sentiment, reiterated by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Counsellor of the Department of State, is NATO’s founding mindset—not the warring one we’re being incited to. 

With the Doomsday Clock set at 90 seconds to midnight, we are the closest we have ever been to global catastrophe. Meanwhile, dialogue and diplomacy are sorely lacking amongst the world’s belligerents as they toy with ideas of winnable or tactical nuclear exchanges. 

If we turn to war, we’re done. If we love this planet, we must exercise patience and discipline to deliver real protection through prevention while scouting out new paths to peace. 

Our privilege and responsibility is not to spread fear and anxiety but the strength of peace, well being, and good will to all.

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