In 2008 governments negotiated an international treaty, formally known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions that bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs. It also prohibits all countries that have joined the Convention to assist anyone in any activity banned under the Convention, such as the production of cluster bombs. To date, over 100 countries have joined the Convention.

Although 98% of cluster bomb victims are civilians, cluster bomb producers do not have any problems attracting capital from financial markets. Some Canadian financial institutions have been implicated in providing funds to companies that produce cluster bombs.

The Ottawa Treaty banning landmines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions both state that “each State Party undertakes never under any circumstance to assist, encourage or induce, in any way anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.” We believe that financing the production of antipersonnel mines or cluster bombs or their components should clearly constitute “assistance” or encouragement, but in reality the implementation of these treaties does not automatically lead to banning these types of investments.

Positively, financial institutions and investors have taken action to stop investment in cluster munition production in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and elsewhere. More countries need to join this list.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

Our Goals

The goals of our campaign are:

• For Canada to include a ban on investments in companies that produce cluster bombs or their components as part of the national legislation it will need to develop for ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
• To have all Canadian financial institutions articulate a clear position and policy against these types of investments.

How you can ensure your investment doesn't bomb...

• Write a letter to your bank
  • Ask them to clarify their policies on investing in producers of cluster bombs.
  • Let them know you do not want your money financing weapons that pose unacceptable risks to civilians and are banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
  • Let MAC know of any responses you receive so we can ensure we are working with the most accurate information.
• Write a letter to your Member of Parliament
  • Ask them to ensure that a ban on investments in companies that produce cluster munitions or their components is included in the national legislation that will be developed as Canada prepares to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
  • Let MAC know if you receive a response we should follow up on!
• Invest in a world free of cluster bombs and landmines by supporting MAC
  • Organize a Monopoly, Payday or Life tournament. Charge an entrance fee or ask players to donate a portion of their game winnings in real funds!
  • Gather a group of friends or classmates and auction off your goods and services (e.g. one hour of snow shoveling, babysitting for an evening, music lessons). Donate the proceeds to MAC.
  • Become a monthly or one-time donor and make a gift to support this work!

Resources

• When Your Investment Bombs report, a summary of Canadian financial institution polices and positions on investing in companies producing cluster bombs, released in February 2010
• An introduction to the cluster bomb problem and what is being done
• Presentations, posters, photos and videos about cluster bombs
• www.stopexplosiveinvestments.org, the global campaign website with many resources and ideas for taking action
• Worldwide Investments in Cluster Bombs – A Shared Responsibility, a global perspective on the issue, released in October 2009
• Disinvestment Campaign Guide, everything you need to know to get active on this issue
• A short film on the launch of the Stop Explosive Investments! Campaign