GC32 Uranium Exports (1988U628)

WHEREAS the 28th General Council (1980) expressed The United Church of Canada’s deep concern for the well-being of this and future generations and the belief that science and technology should serve the quest for a just, participatory and sustainable society; and where an ability to solve many of the problems associated with uranium mining/nuclear power has not been demonstrated; and

WHEREAS the 28th General Council further called upon the government of Canada, in a resolution pending the outcome of an inquiry and full parliamentary debate on whether or not nuclear power is in the public interest, and bearing in mind that Canada has a huge stockpile of uranium, to declare a moratorium in the expansion of existing facilities and/or the establishment of new nuclear facilities or uranium mines, such moratorium to extend to the disruption of radioactive deposits and the export of nuclear technology and materials; and

WHEREAS Project Ploughshares has indicated that Canada’s policy of no uranium exports for use in nuclear weapons has shown to be ineffective in the sense that uranium shipped to the US is (at later stages of the refinement process) being used in nuclear weapons and that there is no way to guarantee against this; and

WHEREAS some conferences are working toward a total ban on uranium mining:

THEREFORE be it resolved that:

1. The United Church of Canada call on the government of Canada to impose an immediate moratorium on uranium exports to states producing and/or selling nuclear weapons until it is proven that no Canadian uranium in whatever form is used in the production of nuclear arms;
2. The United Church of Canada call on all levels of government to develop economic conversion alternatives to assist those who lose jobs and people who are displaced as a result of the moratorium;
3. The United Church of Canada explore and promote economic conversion alternatives as recommended by the 28th General Council.

GC32 1988 ROP, p. 197