Click on the video above to watch the Japanese Language Heritage School Children’s Choir at the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial



Click on the video above to watch the Youth Readers at the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial



Click on the video above to watch US War Department footage of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings

Canada’s Role in Nuclear Bombing Highlighted

The dropping of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 defined a moment in which the world and modern warfare changed forever. People watched in horror and amazement and vowed that this must never happen again. 

Every year for the past 24 years, Victoria has held an event to remember the events and the outcomes of the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The year’s event, which was held on the Gorge Waterway, was organized by the Raging Grannies and sponsored by the Physicians for Global Survival, the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society and the Council of Canadians. The night’s event started with lantern making. Community members and groups presented speeches, traditional Japanese music, poetry, song, cultural dancing and finished with a release of the lanterns into the George; candles lighting their way along the dark water.

“And then there is us. We represent those who continue to speak out about the insanity of possessing on high alert, the wherewithal to obliterate all life on earth. Our lanterns demonstrate the fragility of the life on earth. That is the case we need to make…” Elinor Powell, Physicians for Global Survival, said in her speech.

The message heard was not only to remember, but recognize Canada’s role in these events and Canada’s increasing military industry.

“This year we are pointing out that Canada is part of the Nuclear problem in the world and was part of the original two bombs that decimated two cities full of civilians back in 1945. A long time ago, but we dare not forget it. People who forget their history repeat it.” said Fran Thoburn, event organizer with the Raging Grannies.

Victoria was part of events that were held all over the world. In Hiroshima, every year the Mayor rings a bell to remember the victims. This year, Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba called for the “abolition” of nuclear weapons.

Canada’s uranium industry was boosted with a huge increase in production in 1942 which was used in the making of the nuclear weapons used on Japan. In addition, a heavy water plant was opened by the U.S. in Trail B.C. producing deuterium also used in the bombs. Canada never developed their own nuclear arsenal but housed nuclear weapons up until 1984 and supplies the needed elements for nuclear and heavy weapons development.

“Canada supplied the deuterium; the heavy water for manufacturing the [1945] bombs. Canada is also one of the major exporters of uranium in the world and that includes BC, who’s got their uranium mines. They say they are not opening new mines but they are not closing up the ones that have the permission to mine.” said Thoburn.

The estimated budget for the Canadian Military for 2009 is $19.1 Billion and the Canadian Government has pledged a $490 billion increase to the military budget over the next 20 years. The cost of the war in Afghanistan is estimated to reach $22 Billion.

“The U.S. spends over a hundred and forty billion on its nuclear arsenal and this is the cost of universal health care, education, homes, for the whole, whole world.” said Thoburn.

The event in Victoria was a way to educate the public on these issues; those who are concerned about these issues are encouraged to talk to others; including their members of parliament.

“We are letting the government off the hook here, and the government is the one that can make a change and we are the only ones that can make the government change.” said Thorburn.

There are other local events people can participate in to show their support for peace and their concern with any or all the wars currently being fought.

“People can come down to the weekly peace vigil every Wednesday at noon at the Legislature by the cenotaph and show their displeasure with all wars.” said Freda Knott with the Ragging Grannies.

Today, 9 countries have nuclear weapons and over 40 have the capacity to build them.  Though these weapons have not been used, the threat lingers as international relations grows intense, new countries continue to develop their nuclear capability and many countries with nuclear weapons are invading and occupying sovereign territories all over the world. 64 years ago, the world vowed to never let the atrocities of WWII happen again, yet today the use of depleted uranium, cluster bombs and chemical warfare continues to increase; leaving many people asking what can be done about war and nuclear weapons.

“Speak about peace, I think we have to change our mindsets about war and stop all war, never mind just nuclear disarmament, stop all war and you don’t need nuclear war.” said Rosa Goldstein, event organizer, Raging Grannies.

Related Links

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A Look Back at the US Atomic Bombing 64 Years Later
Democracy Now – August 10, 2009

For the 64th Time: No More Nuclear War” – A Roundtable Discussion on Disarmament
Democracy Now – August 10, 2009

NATO Builds History’s First Global Army
GlobalResearch.ca – August 9, 2009

Nagasaki mayor urges worldwide nuclear arms ban
The Associated Press – August 8, 2009

Canada’s Military Spending on the Rise
Rabble.ca – July 10, 2009

Arming the World: A closer look at Canada’s growing Military exports
CBC – October 9, 2007

Never Again Hiroshima
Activist Magazine – June 27, 2007

Shooting down Canada’s peaceful image
Capital News Online – January 10, 2001

Depleted Uranium
Health Canada Factsheet

Depleted Uranium: The Canadian Regulator’s Perspective
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Depleted Uranium
NATO website

Canada’s Engagement in Afgahanistan
Government of Canada website

Project ‘9′ – Heavy-Water (Deuterium) Production
The Manhattan Project Heritage Preservation Association, Inc.

Canada and the Bomb- Past and Future
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility

Physicians for Global Survival

Raging Grannies International

Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society

Council of Canadians

Beyond War Canada

Global News Archive

Destruction at Hiroshima
Guardian UK – August 9, 1945

Atom Bomb Blast Kills Thousands In Japanese City
St. Petersburg Times – Aug 9, 1945

Nagasaki Hit By Worse Blast Than Hiroshima
Deseret News – Aug 11, 1945

77 Pc Approve Dropping Of Atomic Bomb On Japs
Toronto Daily Star- Oct 3, 1945

Hiroshima’s Death Toll Mounting, Tokyo Radio Says
Evening Independent – Aug 24, 1945

Local News Archive

BC’s Uranium Ban Irrational, economically irresponsible
Vancouver Sun – May 9, 2008

Uranium mining in BC a hot issue
Canada.com – Jul 16, 2007

Canadian Warship Sets Sail for Mid-East
Times Colonist – September 11, 2006

Uranium is bad news for squirming Victoria
Canada.com – Jul 24, 2006

Harper vows to boost western defence
Canada.com – Dec 28, 2005

Canada’s naval bases fail nuclear leak test
CBC.ca – Jul 5, 1999


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