#2. Why Would Canadians Support Nonviolent Defence?

Richard Sandbrook

Nonviolent defence offers not only an efficient and effective strategic approach, but also a sharp reduction in the causalities and devastation wrought by modern warfare.

Joint deployment involves partial demilitarization (via geographical separation), thus permitting a reduced defence budget. Whereas the Canadian government has committed to a defence budget (including infrastructure) of 5% of GDP by 2035, joint deployment might limit the defence budget to 2% of GDP. The savings could fund priorities in healthcare, environmental support and social programs.

In addition, the alternative – military defence alone – has become so destructive as to be unthinkable. The lethality of modern weapons ensures vast destruction and death – think of Ukraine and Gaza. Unarmed civilian defence in the southern parts of Canada will prevent such physical destruction while vastly reducing the number of casualties.

But is it realistic to expect unarmed Canadian men and women to confront a heavily armed invading force?

Yes, it is realistic. Obviously, it will take courage. But it has happened often before, for example, in Czechoslovakia beginning in August 1968 following the “Prague Spring” and in Ukraine during the first four months of the Russian invasion in 2022.

The issue of courage is directly addressed in the preparation for nonviolent defence. It goes without saying that we are all afraid. Nonviolent defenders are neither heroes nor saints; we are ordinary, decent people. We can exhibit courage despite our fear if we believe that our cause is just and if we trust our fellows to look out for us when the time comes. Solidarity arises, in part, from common agreement that Canada’s values and institutions are worth defending (and strengthening). Also, civilians take up their posts, not as isolated individuals, but as part of a dedicated group. Local chapters and training sessions foster networks of trust and cooperation. Most defenders will belong to an “affinity group” of 4-8 friends, neighbours, relatives or colleagues, who will stick closely together. They have each other’s back in the event of an injury or arrest. Nonviolent defence requires community to overcome fear.

Nonviolent defence does not guarantee the absence of casualties; however, provided the defenders maintain nonviolent discipline, the number of casualties will be low - far lower than those resulting from a solely military defence.

Canadians can rise to the challenge of civilian defence and, in the process, strengthen civil society, the underpinning of a vibrant democratic life.

Richard Sandbrook is Vice-President of Science for Peace and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto.