Statement to mark International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

May 29, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:

“This year, as we mark the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping operations, let us honour the past and present UN peacekeepers who have been part of this noble tradition and pay tribute to the more than 4,200 UN peacekeepers who have given their lives to the cause. The theme of this year’s international day, Peace Begins With Me, recognizes peacekeepers’ service and sacrifices, as well as the resilience of the communities they serve, and calls on each one of us to join the global movement for peace.

“Canada is proud to answer that call. Since UN peacekeeping operations began in 1948, more than 125,000 Canadians have been deployed, including members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and provincial, municipal, regional and Indigenous police agencies, as well as diplomats and civilians. Supported by their families, they have served throughout the world in places such as the Balkans, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mali, Rwanda and South Sudan.

“Peacekeepers often face great challenges and danger. Operating in tense and sometimes uncooperative environments, they risk their lives to protect others. Since Canada began taking part in peacekeeping operations, an estimated 130 Canadian service members have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice, and we remember them.

“Canadian police officers also take part in peacekeeping and peace support operations through the Canadian Police Arrangement. Since 1989, more than 4,000 Canadian police officers and other personnel have participated in over 60 peace operations abroad. They have trained counterparts and helped rebuild and strengthen police services in fragile and conflict-affected states. Canadian police officers are currently deployed to the UN special political mission in Haiti, the UN stabilization mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN stabilization mission in Mali and the UN mission in Kosovo, and they are providing expertise to the UN Institute for Training and Research.

“Canada is the eighth-largest contributor to the UN’s peace operations budget, with annual assessed contributions of approximately $198.8 million in funding toward 12 missions worldwide. Canada is also one of the largest donors of voluntary funding for UN peace operations. We are working with our partners to create a more diverse and inclusive future for peacekeeping, and, through the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, we are tackling barriers to uniformed women’s meaningful participation in UN peacekeeping, which will make it more effective.

“UN peace operations are also crucial in preventing and responding to the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and other grave violations of children’s rights. Canada is working with partners to implement the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, which have so far been endorsed by over 100 countries. We are helping to train peacekeepers and strengthen child protection in peacekeeping missions.

“For 75 years, Canadians have been committed to peacekeeping and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Canada will continue to be a leader in working toward a just and peaceful world.”