29 Christian leaders send letter to Prime Minister calling on Canada to define national security wider than just expanding the military, to also include peacebuilding

The leaders of 29 Canadian Christian denominations and civil society organizations have sent a letter to the Prime Minister expressing “deep concern” over the government’s approach to securing Canada’s economic and national security. 

“While we are also concerned about our own national security, our hearts break considering all of those impacted by global conflict, and those who will continue to be impacted as conflicts increase,” the leaders say. 

The letter, which was initiated by Mennonite Central Committee Canada, was sent Oct. 26 at the start of International Disarmament Week, an annual week created by the United Nations to promote awareness about disarmament issues. 

War, the letter says, “diminishes the human dignity inherent in each person, both those who experience violence and those who are asked to carry it out.

We write to remind you of the core principle from the moral foundation of our Christian faith: that we are called to love our neighbours, at home and globally, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized.” 

While the challenges currently facing Canada are daunting, the letter states, “the almost exclusive focus and investment in militarization and trade, at the cost of conflict prevention, care for creation, and support for poverty reduction across the world, does not reflect our values or priorities as communities of faith.” 

At such a crucial time, the faith leaders urge the federal government to “move away from a dependence on weapons of destruction and policies of self-interest only for Canadians and towards actions that are based on the mutual flourishing of all.” 

This move is urgent due to increasing conflict, hunger, displacement and worsening impacts of climate change, the letter says. 

“In this context, security for Canadians means so much more than an expanded capacity to wage war,” the letter says. “A comprehensive understanding of security must include consideration of health, affordability, and food security, including the overarching impacts of climate change.” 

Increased investment in the military is not the way to achieve security, the letter adds. 

“Any approach that focuses only on military solutions without incorporating conflict prevention, diplomacy and peacebuilding at all levels will only make us less safe and will harm our values as a nation,” it says. 

These challenges are an opportunity for Canada to make a sustained investment in solutions that integrate peace and builds a peaceful future for everyone, the letter signers say, adding “we urge you to provide the government with a mandate to focus on a comprehensive definition of security, expressed in policy and practice, with the recognition that conflict prevention supports Canada’s economic and security goals.” 

They also ask that part of Canada’s defence spending “be explicitly allocated” for non-violent conflict prevention efforts such as climate monitoring systems, support for democratization and strengthening institutions and actors that contribute to the conditions necessary for peace. 

“We ask that you prioritize diplomatic and peacebuilding efforts over expanding military spending,” the letter states, and that the Prime Minister “ensure our economy is not dependent on weapons production and exports that will harm others in conflicts far from us . . . as Christians, we cannot in good conscience allow our pensions and economic security to be based on the suffering of others.” 

The letter concludes by noting that while other Northern economies continue to retreat from development, diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts, “Canada can lead. Please consider policies that reflect care for our global neighbours and hope for our shared future, not fear and division.” 

The letter was copied to the leader of the opposition, and to the leaders of the Green, NDP and Bloc parties. 

The letter was signed by the leaders of ADRA Canada (Seventh Day Adventist), Alongside Hope (Anglican Church of Canada), Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate, of the Anglican Church of Canada, Be In Christ Church of Canada,  Canadian Baptist Ministries, Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Friends Service Committee, Canadian Jesuits International, Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada, Citizens for Public Justice, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Kairos Canada, Kentro Christian Network, Mennonite Action Canada, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite World Conference, Presbyterian World Service & Development, Project Ploughshares, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Salvation Army, The United Church of Canada, Tearfund Canada, World Renew and World Vision Canada.