The Canadian Council of Churches has sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper seeking a deeper committment to end the global arms trade.

The Council, which claims to represent 80% od Christians in Canada, is calling on the Prime Minister to "do its utmost to ensure negotiations at the UN Diplomatic Conference in July [2012]" by:

• Issuing a prime-ministerial statement emphasizing Canadian support for a strong Arms Trade Treaty and indicating that Canada will not accept treaty text that inadequately responds to the humanitarian costs of irresponsible arms transfers;
• Instructing  Minister Baird to take up the invitation to attend the high level segment during the first days of the Diplomatic Conference;
• Instructing the Canadian delegation to the Diplomatic Conference to actively engage and support other states seeking a comprehensive and effective Arms Trade Treaty.