R. Clayton Grassick                                                                                  January 20, 2005

1-495 Parliament St.

Toronto, ON  M4X 1P3

(416) 707-5044

Hon. Bill Graham

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Graham,

I'm writing to you to express my strong opposition to Canada's participation in the Ballistic Missile Defense system being developed by the United States for the following reasons:

1. It is primarily an offensive rather than defensive weapon. No nation would launch a pre-emptive attack on the US using a relatively small number of missiles. The nuclear and conventional capabilities of the US to retaliate would only make this a feasible scenario if the nation were being invaded by the US. Over 15 countries have been invaded by the US since World War II and this system is designed to allow this to continue with impunity
2. A new arms race will begin. A system to counter ballistic missiles will lead to the justification of new missiles to counter the defense system.
3. Canada should not participate in the US's aggressive foreign policies. The majority of Canadians opposed the invasion of Iraq and a foreign-policy which ignores existing treaties and justifies preemptive attacks.
4. The system is technically infeasible at this time. Less than half of the tests under carefully controlled conditions have worked.
5. BMD will most likely lead to the weaponization of space. Space is simply the logical place to deploy future generations of the Ballistic Missile Defense. Despite assurances that the initial technology will not be space-based, once Canada has signed in, we will have very little leverage to ensure that the system does not progress in this way.

I will be following this issue closely, and how you in particular vote on this issue in the House of Commons.

Sincerely,

R. Clayton Grassick