Ottawa Peace Calendar * October 1986

Ontario Peace Conference 1986

by Kristen Ostling

The Third Annual Ontario Peace Conference, held September 5-7, was organized this year by NEON Peace (North Eastern Ontario Network for Peace) and held near Sundridge, Ontario at the Eagle Crest Outdoor Centre. The theme of this year's conference, "Towards a Nuclear Free Ontario", highlighted broad concerns regarding the relationship between nuclear weapons and nuclear power.

The Conference opened Friday evening with a speech by Dr. James Endicott, an activist in the Canadian peace movement since the late forties. Endicott offered an overview on where the peace movement has been and its current directions. From Endicott's perspective, one of the most serious problems the peace movement has faced historically is red-baiting. In terms of the direction of the movement, he suggested that in each stage of the struggle for peace it is important to limit and focus priorities.

On Saturday morning Rosalie Bertell, a well-known researcher on the consequences of low-level radiation and author of No Immediate Danger? Prognosis for a Radioactive Earth, spoke to a gathering of 162 conference participants from all over the province. The topic of her talk was "The Death Process: How World War III has already begun". Bertell's work has led to the discovery of an extremely serious and depressing problem for all of humankind which she calls "Species Death Syndrome". According to her research, between 16 and 20 million people have already died from the consequences of nuclear weapons research, production, testing and development. She stressed the potential of bringing together a global movement to confront militarism through the issue of health.

Part of Bertell's recent work has been to expose the fact that just prior to the Chernobyl accident there was a nuclear test in Nevada related to Star Wars (Strategic Defense Initiative) which vented and contributed to the high levels of radioactivity at that time. Government officials in Ottawa neglected to test for the presence of Cesium-134, which would have indicated whether the fallout was from a reactor or primarily from the Nevada test explosion as Bertell speculates.

In between plenary sessions delegates participated in a number of campaign development and educational workshops on topics which included "Building your Group", "Computer Networking', "Dealing with the Cold War Mentality", "Nuclear Weapons Free Ontario", "Low-level Flight Testing and the Establishment of a NATO Base in Labrador and Québec", "Tritium Exports", "Uranium" and many more.

There was widespread support for a number of campaigns presented at the conference. In particular, the Nuclear Weapons Free Ontario Campaign and the Campaign to Resist the Militarisation of Québec/Labrador gained a great deal of attention.

A ten week educational and lobbying campaign to declare Ontario Nuclear Weapons Free was launched at the Conference. The Campaign is geared to gather public support for a motion which will be presented to the Ontario Legislature by Richard Johnston, MPP (Scarborough West) this Fall. A strategy document, posters, pamphlets ( at $7 per I 00) and buttons are available. For more information and campaign materials contact: NEON Peace, c/o Brennain Lloyd, Box 264, North Bay, P1B 8H2 (705)476-7060.

In the last year a number of peace networks have begun to organize opposition to the low-level flight testing in Québec/Labrador and the possible establishment of a NATO base in Goose Bay. At the Ontario Peace Conference many participants were exposed for the first time to this urgent initiative. An intensive campaign effort is planned for this Fall. Four components of the campaign to build public awareness offer groups a number of options:

1. A speaking tour with an Innu spokesperson and representative of the European peace movement (possibly Petra Kelly) in late Fall. (Contact Bob Penner, Canadian Peace Alliance, 555 Bloor St. West, Suite 5, Toronto, M5S 1V6 (416) 588-5555.
2. On November 26 a nation-wide action called the Boom Project will involve local groups broadcasting the sounds made by low level flying jets. Handing out our leaflets and distributing press releases will precede the action. (For a sample leaflet and cassette of the low-level test sounds, contact: Coalition Québecquoise pour la Paix et le Désarmement, 5770 Côte Des Neiges, Montréal, Québec, H3S 1Y9.)
3. A Letter Writing Project to pressure the NATO powers before the decision is made (probably in December) regarding the NATO base. (For model letters and addresses, contact: North Atlantic Peace Organization, Box 13392, Station A, St. John's Newfoundland, A1B 4B7.)
4. A Direct Action at D.N.D. headquarters in Ottawa will focus on military testing in Canada and will take place on November 12. (Contact: The Alliance for Non-Violent Action, 9 Melbourne Ave., Toronto, Ontario.) To be placed on the mailing list for campaign updates, further information or to contribute to the campaign write to Randy Dryburgh, Orangeville Citizens for Peace, R.R. 3, Conn, Ontario, NOG INO.

The Ontario Peace Conference closed with resolutions of support for both of the campaigns described above as well as other important campaigns and issues including: the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, a Nuclear Weapons Legal Action to Make Canada a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and the importance of increasing East/West Dialogue. Next year's conference will be held in London, Ontario.

Converted July 21, 2002 - Lg

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