Milestones
Project Ploughshares Co-founder Ernie Regehr was awarded the 2010 Pearson Peace Medal by Governor-General David Johnston in January 2011. Co-founder Murray Thomson was awarded the Pearson Peace Medal in 2000. Murray and Ernie were appointed Officers of the Order of Canada in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Ernie was awarded the World Peace Award of the World Federalist Movement (Canada) in 2006 and the Arthur Kroeger College Award for Ethics and Public Affairs in 2008.
Timeline of Highlights
2016
Marks 40 years of continuous work in pursuit of a more just, peaceful and secure world.
2015
Draws attention to questions surrounding Canada’s $15-billion military exports deal with Saudi Arabia.
In collaboration with Canadian churches, helps prepare letter to the Prime Minister on Canada’s military mission in Iraq and Syria.
Participates in first Conference of States Parties to the ATT in Mexico.
2014
The UN diplomatic conference to negotiate the Arms Trade Treaty is held in New York. Project Ploughshares participates as “co-chair” of the Control Arms coalition. After month-long negotiations, delegates at the UN fail to reach consensus and agree on an Arms Trade Treaty.
2013
With Canadian Control Arms partners, Project Ploughshares briefs Parliamentarians from all parties on the “final” treaty negotiations later in the month. Three opposition parties subsequently raise questions on Canada and the ATT in the House of Commons.
2012
With funding from the Canadian government, Project Ploughshares assists the organization and hosting of an ATT roundtable for the MERCOSUR subregion of South America. In preparation for the July diplomatic conference, the roundtable is held at the Senate building in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participants include government officials and civil society representatives.
Canadian Control Arms coalition members, including Project Ploughshares, appear as witnesses before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development about the Arms Trade Treaty.
The UN diplomatic conference to negotiate the Arms Trade Treaty is held in New York. Project Ploughshares participates as “co-chair” of the Control Arms coalition.
2010
Prepares a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of Canadian churches on nuclear disarmamentBriefs the House of Commons standing committees on Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and the proposed Joint Strike Fighter purchase
Launches Caribbean projects to strengthen Arms Trade Treaty negotiations and reduce gun violence
2009
Co-writes an ecumenical brief calling on the government to pay increased attention to diplomacy and reconciliation in Afghanistan
2008
Documents the relationship between armed violence and sustainable development
Launches an armed violence reduction project in the Caribbean
2006
Works with international NGOs in developing core principles for a global Arms Trade Treaty
Supports Million Faces Petition calling for control of irresponsible arms transfers
2005
Launches a project to support the peace process in Sudan
Advisor to the Canadian delegation to the UN NPT Review Conference
Sends a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin on Canadian military export policy
Holds consultations in East, West, and Southern Africa on the Responsibility to Protect
2003
Co-writes Prepare for Peace in Iraq, endorsed by 40,000 Canadians, which influences Canada’s decision not to participate in the Iraq war
Research on ballistic missile defence informs the government’s decision to decline participation in U.S. system
Initiates the Space Security Index project
Begins tracking States Parties’ reporting to the NPT conferences
2001
Member of Canadian delegation at UN session that adopts the Programme of Action on small arms
Holds international workshops on small arms and arms embargoes Explores humanitarian intervention issues
2000
Member of Canadian delegation at the UN NPT Review Conference Assists the Kenyan government in drafting the Nairobi Declaration, a regional small arms agreement
Works with the World Council of Churches on NATO nuclear policy
1999
Leads a church leaders’ delegation to meeting with Prime Minister Jean Chretien to discuss nuclear disarmament and NATO bombing in Kosovo
Initiates the Sudan Track II diplomacy and dialogue project
1998
Co-founds the International Action Network on Small Arms
1997
Participates in the process leading up to the signing of the Ottawa Landmines Treaty
Endorses Code of Conduct on arms transfers
1996
Conducts cross-country roundtables on nuclear disarmament that leads to the Canadian government’s review of its nuclear policy and its subsequent pivotal report
1994
Participates in a parliamentary review of Canada’s defence and foreign policy Co-founds Mines Action Canada
1993
Helps to establish and co-ordinate the International Resource Group on Disarmament and Security in the Horn of Africa
1991
Sponsors a newspaper ad calling for diplomacy in the Persian Gulf crisis and travels with a church delegation to the Middle East
Represents Canada on a group of governmental experts that develops the UN Register of Conventional Arms
1990
Briefs the House of Commons standing committees on the Persian Gulf crisis, NORAD and Canadian security spending
1989
Organizes a campaign in which Canadians send two million postcards to MPs imploring them to oppose the modernization of nuclear weapons Publishes policy on Arctic security
1987
Publishes the first Armed Conflicts Report
Responds to the 1987 white paper on defence policy in a letter to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
1986
Creates the only database of Canadian military production and exports
1985
Presents a brief on Strategic Defence Initiative before the Special Joint Committee on Canada’s International Relations
1983
Leads a church leaders’ delegation to meetings with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on nuclear disarmament
Publishes Canada and the Nuclear Arms Race, the first comprehensive analysis of Canada’s response to the nuclear weapons crisis
1982
Co-sponsors a newspaper ad calling on Canada to take bold action against nuclear disarmament
1979
Produces a study of Canada and U.S. defence relations for a UN Group of Governmental Experts
1977
Publishes the first issue of The Ploughshares Monitor
1976
Founded by Ernie Regehr and Murray Thomson