Liberals Using Tax Dollars To Fund Weapons In Space Advocates

At issue is James Fergusson, director of the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies. The centre receives funding from the Department of National Defence’s security and defence forum. The DND program has a budget of $2 million this year, according to the 2004-05 estimates. Fergusson has been commissioned by DND to write several reports on missile defence, including Theatre Missile Defence and 2000 Space Appreciation Report. One report said if Canada says no to missile defence, “it is difficult to see how Canada could continue to participate in other key space-related activities in a joint way with the United States.” His comments are more evidence of the links between missile defence and space, said McDonough. “It is simply dead wrong for Paul Martin to pretend this program is unrelated to space. Missile defence will become Star Wars and has already kick-started an acceleration of the arms race,” she said. “Martin’s position is indefensible and it’s time he told George Bush that Canada won’t help him make the world more dangerous.” In May, Fergusson wrote that space is, “the vital enabler of current and future defence and security operations.” In 2002, he said in a speech, “outer space within the next decade will be the fourth dimension of warfare. It will be more or less weaponized… there are great political benefits to be had if we get out ahead of the curve. Of course the costs are enormous.” Yesterday on CBC Newsworld, he defended the current missile proposal against charges it doesn’t make anyone safe because it doesn’t work. He claimed that five of eight tests had worked without noting the test missile had been painted with a homing beacon, making it easier to hit. In fact, no test has worked without the test missile being painted and the New York Times reported – before the Pentagon cancelled tests – the most recent test missed by 200 miles. -30- For further information, please contact: Ian Capstick, Caucus Press Secretary, 613/720-6400. ****************************************************************************** V. Anthony Salloum Legislative and Communications Assistant - Adjoint Législatif; Adjoint aux communications Alexa McDonough, MP/ Députée Halifax Foreign Affairs and Post-Secondary Education Critic; Porte-parole pour les affaires étrangères et éducation post-secondaire; Tel: (613)995-4492 Fax/Télécopier: (613)992-8569 www.alexahfx.ca