To the Editor:
Canada's commitment to peacekeeping remains low at a time when UN operations have increased in tempo and the need is greater than ever. Canada's contribution of uniformed personnel to UN peace operations currently ranks 54th in the world. From over 90,000 uniformed peacekeepers, the Canadian Forces provides only 68 personnel while Canada's police forces contribute 92 (as of 30 June 2013).
The 2013 Canada and UN Peacekeeping fact sheet (attached and available online), published by the World Federalist Movement - Canada, shows the Canadian contributions over the years as well as the growth in UN deployed personnel.
In 2013 two controversial peacekeeping decisions saw UN operations become involved in more robust "peace enforcement" efforts.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a 3,000-man "intervention brigade" was mandated as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) to combat rebel forces in the eastern DRC.
In Mali, the recently mandated UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), will coordinate with French and Chadian forces conducting counterinsurgency operations in northern Mali.
In 2013 Canada's troop contributions increased when 34 Canadian military personnel were added to a Brazilian battalion as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). However, Canada's personnel contributions to three other missions have ended: the UN Assistance Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF, on the border between Israel and Syria). Until 2006 Canada provided the logistical backbone (200 military personnel) to the UNDOF mission.
While Canada's commitment to peacekeeping remains low, polls continue to demonstrate that UN Peacekeeping is strongly supported by Canadians. A poll conducted by Nanos Research in October 2010 indicated that Canadians believed peacekeeping and North American security should be the military's priorities.
Walter Dorn, Professor of Defence Studies, Canadian Forces College, and Carolyn McAskie, former head of the UN Peacebuilding Commission's Peacebuilding Support Office and former head of the UN Peace Operation in Burundi.
