(OTTAWA) – ”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s refusal to sign on to the Treaty on the Prohibition of NuclearWeapons is threatening Canada’s chances at securing a seat once again on the Security Council,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), Ms. May participated in a citizens signing ceremony for the treaty in front of Parliament Hill today.

“As Prime Minister Trudeau participates at the UN this week, his failure to join more than 120 nations in calling for an end to nuclear weapons is a stain on our country,” Ms. May said. “How can we purport to be a country of peacekeepers when we refuse to stand with the international community in calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons?”

Jeff Wheeldon, GPC International Affairs Critic, said: "The threat of violence has never truly brought peace or reconciliation, and threats of nuclear violence are profoundly irresponsible. Canada began down a better path to peace in 1984, and it is high time we moved forward and called for our allies to do likewise. Signing the UN nuclear disarmament treaty marks the difference between washing our hands of responsibility for nuclear war and working to prevent it."

- 30 -

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Dan Palmer

Press Secretary | Attaché de presse

dan.palmer@greenparty.ca

m: (613) 614-4916