Nuclear Disarmament & Non-Proliferation
Advancing Human Security, International Law, and a Future Free from Nuclear Threats
About the Project
The Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada (CRRIC) is committed to advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through research, policy dialogue, public education, and international collaboration.
Nuclear weapons remain among the gravest threats to humanity. Beyond the immediate destruction caused by their use, nuclear conflict could disrupt global food systems, devastate the environment, displace populations, and undermine the foundations of human security.
CRRIC approaches nuclear disarmament not only as a matter of international security but also as a fundamental question of human rights, humanitarian responsibility, environmental justice, and intergenerational equity.
Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CRRIC is particularly concerned about the security implications of nuclear weapons for Canadian communities, including the risks associated with major United States nuclear missile installations located just south of the Canadian border.
Through engagement with international disarmament experts, Nobel Peace Prize-associated organizations, legal scholars, Indigenous representatives, educators, and civil society leaders, CRRIC seeks to strengthen Canada's contribution to a safer world.
Our vision is a world where human security is no longer dependent on the threat of nuclear destruction.
The project pursues six interconnected objectives:
- 01
Advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Support informed dialogue on international arms control, nuclear risk reduction, and the progressive elimination of nuclear weapons through verifiable international agreements.
- 02
Strengthen research and public understanding.
Examine the humanitarian, environmental, legal, economic, and geopolitical consequences of nuclear weapons, with a particular focus on Canada and the North American Prairies.
- 03
Promote international law and accountability.
Encourage greater public understanding of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), international humanitarian law, and states' obligations to protect civilian populations.
- 04
Engage communities and future generations.
Work with universities, youth organizations, Indigenous communities, educators, faith groups, and civil society networks to strengthen peace education and public participation.
- 05
Advance nuclear justice.
Bring attention to communities affected by nuclear testing, radiation exposure, environmental contamination, and forced displacement, including Indigenous peoples and communities in the Pacific.
- 06
Translate dialogue into policy action.
Develop research briefs, public declarations, educational resources, and recommendations that can inform Canadian and international policy discussions.
The Nuclear Threat Is Closer Than We Think
- 150Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles
- ~8,500square miles of northwestern North Dakota
- 91stMissile Wing, Minot Air Force Base
Nuclear conflict is often perceived as a distant geopolitical danger. For residents of Manitoba and neighbouring Prairie provinces, its consequences could be much closer to home.
Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota is a major component of the United States nuclear deterrent. It hosts the 91st Missile Wing, which operates and maintains 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles housed in underground launch facilities across approximately 8,500 square miles of northwestern North Dakota.
The proximity of this strategic missile complex to the Canadian Prairies raises important questions about civilian protection, cross-border emergency preparedness, radioactive fallout, agricultural security, and the consequences of any wider nuclear conflict.
A nuclear attack involving installations in North Dakota could create severe consequences beyond the immediate target area. The effects on Canadian communities would depend on the nature and scale of an attack, weather conditions, radioactive releases, and the effectiveness of protective measures. A large-scale nuclear exchange could also cause broader disruption to food production, trade, infrastructure, and public health.
These risks deserve sustained public examination, informed by scientific evidence and responsible emergency planning.
Learning from After the Big One: Nuclear War on the Prairies
The National Film Board of Canada's documentary After the Big One: Nuclear War on the Prairies, directed by Bob Lower, provides an important historical foundation for this discussion.
The film examines the possible consequences of nuclear warfare for the Prairie provinces, drawing attention to the concentration of intercontinental ballistic missiles in North Dakota. It features a visit to a missile base and a Manitoba emergency government bunker, along with perspectives from a physician, farmer, and civil defence coordinator.
Watch the documentaryAlthough produced during an earlier period of nuclear confrontation, the documentary raises questions that remain relevant today.
- How prepared are Canadian communities for nuclear emergencies?
- What would widespread radioactive contamination mean for Prairie agriculture, water, health systems, and Indigenous territories?
- How can governments and communities improve public awareness while reducing the underlying risks?
CRRIC uses this historical perspective to encourage contemporary research and discussion on the relationship between nuclear deterrence, regional security, and civilian vulnerability.
Engaging Global Disarmament Leaders in Winnipeg
During United Nations Disarmament Week in October 2025, CRRIC organized and supported a series of public discussions and academic engagements in Winnipeg in conjunction with the fifth Youth Nuclear Peace Summit.
A major highlight was the participation of Dr. Ira Helfand and Seth Sheldon, both associated with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the organization awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
These engagements brought international disarmament expertise into direct conversation with Canadian researchers, legal professionals, students, educators, peace advocates, and community leaders.
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October 30, 2025Robson Hall, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba
Advocacy for Humanity: Civil Society, Nuclear Disarmament, and Environmental Protection
CRRIC organized this event in partnership with the University of Manitoba's Master of Human Rights Program and the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice, with support from the Walter C. Newman Fund.
Dr. Ira Helfand delivered the keynote address, addressing the humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare, global nuclear flashpoints, and the role of political leadership and civil society in reducing nuclear danger.
The discussion connected nuclear disarmament with environmental protection, human rights, and the urgent need for public education.
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October 30, 2025St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba
Panel Discussion on Nuclear Disarmament
Moderated by Dr. Kawser Ahmed, the panel brought together representatives from international human rights organizations, nuclear disarmament networks, peace education, and civil society.
The program drew on After the Big One: Nuclear War on the Prairies to examine the implications of nuclear conflict for Canada.
Panelists explored the importance of peace education, the human rights consequences of nuclear testing, international legal responsibilities, and Canada's potential contribution to multilateral disarmament.
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November 1, 2025Mediation Services, Winnipeg
Engaging with Nobel Laureates: Nuclear Disarmament and Where Do We Go from Here?
CRRIC convened a roundtable dialogue featuring Dr. Ira Helfand and Seth Sheldon, with facilitation by David G. Newman, K.C., and Dr. Kawser Ahmed.
Participants included faith and community leaders, Rotary representatives, youth advocates, academics, and peacebuilding practitioners.
Rather than focusing solely on the scale of nuclear threats, the discussion examined how communities could act.
The central themes included public education, trust-building, cooperation across communities, intergenerational dialogue, and the role of Canadian civil society in strengthening the global movement for nuclear disarmament.
Together, these 2025 engagements helped establish a foundation for CRRIC's continuing work on nuclear security and humanitarian responsibility.
From Nuclear Threats to Collective Responsibility
Building on its 2025 work, CRRIC organized The Moral Responsibility of Humanity, a strategic dialogue held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as part of Peace Days 2026 and the opening day of the sixth Youth Nuclear Peace Summit.
Organized in collaboration with Rules of Law on Earth, the event brought together researchers, legal experts, Indigenous representatives, international speakers, peace advocates, and community leaders.
The dialogue examined nuclear threats, human security, international humanitarian law, environmental responsibility, and the need for collective action.
Contributors included Winslow Myers, Libby Traubman, Joanne Dufour, Marcina Langrine, Raphael Pangalangan, Renee Greyeyes, Terry Brown, and filmmaker Paul Jay.
Their contributions connected several dimensions of nuclear disarmament:
- Human security: The relationship between nuclear spending and unmet global humanitarian needs.
- International law: The responsibilities of states under international humanitarian law and nuclear disarmament treaties.
- Nuclear justice: The continuing effects of nuclear testing on communities in the Marshall Islands and elsewhere.
- Indigenous perspectives: The duty to protect land, water, communities, and future generations.
- Civil society dialogue: The role of public participation, personal relationships, and community education in strengthening international peace.
- Regional vulnerability: The implications of nuclear weapons infrastructure in North Dakota for Canadian Prairie communities.
The discussions emphasized that nuclear disarmament is not simply a technical question about weapons inventories. It concerns how societies define security, how governments exercise responsibility, and how humanity protects its future.
The day's program also featured reflections on the National Film Board's After the Big One and a presentation by filmmaker Paul Jay about his documentary project How to Stop a Nuclear War, drawing on the final interviews of Daniel Ellsberg.
An evening public program, One Earth One Humanity One Future, continued the discussions at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
The sixth Youth Nuclear Peace Summit followed on October 29 and 30, bringing youth engagement and peace education into the broader conversation.
The Winnipeg Declaration
Read the Winnipeg Declaration and access the endorsement process →An important outcome of CRRIC's 2026 engagement is the development of the Winnipeg Declaration on the Moral Responsibility of Humanity.
The declaration process seeks to translate dialogue about nuclear threats, human security, and international law into a shared framework for public education, cooperation, and sustained engagement.
It is intended to encourage participation by scholars, civil society organizations, educators, community leaders, and individuals concerned about the future of nuclear disarmament.
CRRIC views the declaration as a means of connecting local concerns with global responsibilities and ensuring that discussions lead to practical follow-up.
Our Research and Policy Priorities
CRRIC's next phase will focus on five areas.
- 1
Nuclear risk and Prairie security
Develop evidence-based research on the implications of the North Dakota missile complex for Manitoba and the Canadian Prairies, including emergency preparedness, environmental exposure, critical infrastructure, food security, and community resilience.
- 2
Canada's role in international disarmament
Examine Canada's commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, its relationship with NATO's nuclear deterrence policy, and the policy implications of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
- 3
Humanitarian impacts and nuclear justice
Strengthen research and dialogue on the lasting impacts of nuclear weapons testing, with attention to affected communities, Indigenous rights, victim assistance, environmental remediation, and accountability.
- 4
Education, youth engagement, and public dialogue
Develop accessible educational resources, organize public seminars and documentary screenings, and support collaboration among students, educators, and peace organizations.
- 5
International partnerships and policy engagement
Continue developing relationships with disarmament experts, academic institutions, international networks, and civil society organizations to produce policy discussions and practical recommendations.
What We Aim to Achieve
CRRIC seeks to build a lasting platform that connects rigorous research with public understanding and practical engagement.
Our intended outcomes include:
- Research publications and policy briefs on nuclear risk, human security, and Canada's disarmament responsibilities.
- Greater public understanding of the risks associated with nuclear infrastructure near the Canadian border.
- Stronger partnerships among Canadian and international disarmament networks.
- Educational materials and opportunities for youth participation.
- Community dialogues, film screenings, and academic events.
- Continued engagement with the Winnipeg Declaration and its proposed actions.
- Policy recommendations that connect international commitments with humanitarian and regional security concerns.
Our broader objective is to help move nuclear disarmament from a distant international debate into a sustained public conversation about security, justice, and human survival.
Publications, Videos, and Resources
CRRIC Publications
Event Recordings
The Moral Responsibility of Humanity | October 28, 2026
2025 Panel Discussion on Nuclear Disarmament
2025 Nuclear Disarmament Film Discussion
Engaging with Nobel Laureates | November 1, 2025
Documentary
Join the Conversation
Nuclear disarmament requires sustained engagement from governments, researchers, educators, communities, and citizens.
CRRIC welcomes opportunities to collaborate on research, public education, policy dialogue, youth engagement, and community-based initiatives.
A safer future depends not only on the weapons humanity chooses to control, but also on the lives, communities, and generations it chooses to protect.
Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada (CRRIC)Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Website: https://www.crric.org
Email: info@crric.org