Background
With the end of the Cold War, Russia inherited vast stockpiles of plutonium and highly enriched uranium (HEU) from the Soviet Union. It has since declared certain quantities of these nuclear materials surplus to its defence requirements. The possibility, however, that they could be stolen poses a major threat to global security. Securing and disposing of weapons-grade plutonium and HEU has become a high priority for Canada and its international partners. These materials must be accounted for, secured and converted into non-weapons-usable forms ("dispositioned") quickly and efficiently.
A related threat is the potential malicious use of radioactive materials in a radiological dispersal device, or "dirty bomb." A key objective of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction is to prevent terrorists from acquiring dangerous nuclear and radioactive materials. Canada is addressing these nuclear and radiological security challenges through a variety of methods.
Physical Protection, Control and Accountancy
Canada supports projects to improve the security of nuclear and radioactive material in Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). We are working to help strengthen the physical protection at facilities that house these materials in order to reduce the risk of theft or sabotage. We are also assisting with the development of tighter accountability measures and increased border controls to help governments monitor nuclear and radioactive material and prevent illicit trafficking.
Radioactive Sources
Radioactive sources have been used as small power sources and in medical applications for decades; however, it is critical that their radioactive material be properly accounted for and secured. If stolen, this radioactive material could be used to make a "dirty bomb." Vulnerable "orphaned sources" in Russia and the FSU pose considerable security risks, and Canada is working with its partners to eliminate this threat by recovering and safely securing these radioactive sources.
Plutonium Disposition
Canada strongly supports Russia’s plutonium disposition program. Together with many of our G8 partners, we are negotiating the terms of a multilateral project for the disposition of 34 tonnes of Russian weapons-grade plutonium in Russian reactors.
Canada and its Partners
Canada has contributed $8 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Nuclear Security Fund to strengthen nuclear and radiological security throughout the FSU. Canada is the second-largest contributor to this fund. It has also committed $65 million towards Russia’s plutonium disposition program, which will dispose of enough weapons-grade material for thousands of nuclear weapons.
These initiatives are part of Canada’s first round of contributions under its overall commitment of up to $1 billion over the next ten years to the Global Partnership. Canada’s future nuclear and radiological security projects will focus in large part on bilateral projects to enhance the physical protection of nuclear material and facilities and to secure radioactive sources in Russia.
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