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Right Honourable Jean Chretien,
Prime Minister of Canada,
Room 309S, Centre Block,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario.
K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister,

I urge you to upgrade Canada's contribution to international peace and security. However, this should not take the form of increases in defence spending.

Canadian defence spending in absolute terms is already substantial by global, rather than US, standards. A recent study lists Canada as 16th out of 160 countries in 2001.

Furthermore, post-Cold War spending on key non-military contributions has been subjected to deeper cuts than has defence spending. For example, official development assistance declined by 31% in the l990's whereas military spending declined only by 14%.

The most imminent and widespread threats to the security of people do not come from threats of military attack but from internal political and social disintegration in underdeveloped states. Consequently, I believe that security will be enhanced through programs that promote social and economic development, human rights, democratic governance, environmental protection, arms control and disarmament rather than by increasing a vaguely defined military capability.

A thorough and public review of our priorities should be undertaken before any infusion of new funds to the Department of National Defence.

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