Canadian Nuclear Export Policy and the Problems of Proliferation

Abstract

A safeguard system against nuclear proliferation must provide safeguard coverage adequate in scope, detection and enforcement. In meeting these requirements, it faces a number of technological, organizational and political difficulties that may compromise its effectiveness. The changes in Canadian safeguard policy since 1974 make improvements in a number of areas of the safeguard system, particularly through extended scope and depth of coverage. Many difficulties, however, cannot be successfully dealt with through purely unilateral efforts: the international organization of the fuel cycle is a crucial factor in safeguard effectiveness. While, with Canadian involvement, some progress has been made at the international level, the proliferation problem remains.