The New Democratic Party of Canada says that it will not tolerate a violation of their nuclear non-proliferation principals. They would sink the nuke idea and buy 12 conventional subs - if they successfuly wrest power from the Conservatives in the next federal election. Within academic circles, the debate is as cool as an American conning tower in the deep freeze of the Arctic Circle. There has been little in the way of public or published support from anyone that matters except for a very strong argument in favour by the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. Many have argued that the nuclear submarine is not sufficiently visible to be effective in peacetime as a deterrent to those who would violate our soverign waters with their unwanted presence.
Visible presence is detected by the sonar operator.
Such cat and mouse games are not directed by the men in the crowsnests. Human optics have long since been replaced by sonar, radar, and electro-optics. If you are eyeball to eyeball with your challenger, then the battle has begun. In twenty years there will be twelve frigates and if industry and government have their act intact, more than a half dozen submarines - 10 or 12 by 2011. Obviously one would hope that it will consist of the most powerful and capable vessels available.