Internationally, Dec. 3 is a day to celebrate. In Canada, we have reasons not to.

Dec. 3 not only marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it also marks the day two important international treaties were adopted: the Ottawa Treaty (1997) to ban landmines and the Oslo Treaty (2008) to ban cluster bombs. Canada has already ratified the Ottawa Treaty; after all, it was created on our soil and is commonly known as Princess Diana’s cause, with the lasting image of her wearing protective clothing while visiting demining crews in Angola. Today, however, our celebrations are stifled by the unclear and inexcusable reason Canada refuses or perhaps delays ratification of the Oslo Treaty.

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