Question Period Note: Peacekeeping

Why is Canada shortchanging its commitments to the United Nations?

• Canada provides a range of support for peace operations in order to promote peace and stability around the world.

• Indeed, Canada is one of the top ten financial contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

• The Canadian Armed Forces are providing tailored and specialized military contributions to ongoing UN peace support operations, including training on the role of women peacekeepers in UN operations.

• In fact, this year Canada renewed its uniformed personnel contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali.

• Canada will continue to strengthen peacekeeping globally through our ongoing military assistance and critical financial support.

Quick Facts

Operation PRESENCE

• Operation PRESENCE has been extended for one year, until 31 March, 2023.

• In 2021, Canada deployed trainers to Rwanda and Uganda to train Engagement Platoon trainers.

Background

Operation PRESENCE

• Op PRESENCE is the Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to the Government of Canada’s support to United Nations peace operations.

• This includes the commitment of high-value military capabilities to various United Nations peacekeeping missions.

  • The Mali Air Task Force capability was delivered from 2018 to 2019.

  • Canadian Armed Forces tactical airlift support to UN missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan until 31 March 2022. The signature of ministerial authorities is pending for the renewal of this contribution to the UN.

  • In March 2022, Canada’s participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali was renewed until March 31, 2023.

• Our contributions of personnel, funds, and high value enablers are greatly valued by our partners. These contribute to filling capability gaps that are critical to sustaining peace operations, and increasing their effectiveness.

Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations

• Canada launched the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations at the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver. It is a multilateral pilot project to help overcome barriers and increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations, with a focus on police and military roles.

• An Assessment of the Ghana Armed Forces was recently completed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and Cornell University to determine the primary barriers to increasing the meaningful participation of Ghanaian women in UN peace operations.

  • Three top barriers to women’s participation were identified:

    • Eligible pool of candidates;

    • Preconceived ideas about gender roles; and,

    • Social exclusion.

• National Defence is currently developing plans to provide training and support to the Ghana Armed Forces and increase the participation of Ghanaian women in UN peace operations.

Engagement Platoon

• The UN Engagement Platoon is a new capability in peacekeeping. The intent for these platoons is to be composed of 50% women, with an aim to leverage expertise and gender diversity to break down engagement barriers with local populations, identify vulnerable areas and at-risk populations, and provide enhanced situational awareness.

• Canada has provided significant support to the development of the Engagement Platoon training materials. National Defence has provided expertise to the UN for these materials, and Global Affairs Canada has contributed around $450,000 to the effort as part of their support to innovative training for peacekeeping.

Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security

• We established the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security to ensure that the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers are fully integrated into the doctrine and practice of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)