Canadian peacekeeping

a person in a military uniform wearing a United Nations blue helmet
Canadian peacekeeper in 1976 wearing the distinctive flag of Canada and UN blue helmet

Canada has served in over 50 peacekeeping missions, including every United Nations (UN) peacekeeping effort from its inception until 1989.[1] More than 125,000 Canadians have served in international peacekeeping operations, with approximately 130 Canadians having died during these operations.[2] Canada's strong support for multilateralism and internationalism has been closely related to its peacekeeping efforts.[3][4][5]

Canada's role in the development of and participation in peacekeeping during the 20th century led to its reputation as a positive middle power.[6][7] Canada's successful role in mediating the 1956 Suez Canal Crisis gave it credibility and established it as a country fighting for the common good of all nations.[8][9] The Canadian public came to identify the nation's peacekeeping role as the country's top contribution in international affairs.[10][11][12]

Canada faced controversy over its involvement in some peacekeeping efforts resulting in a military reassessment in the late 1990s.[13] By the 21st century, Canadian direct participation in UN peacekeeping efforts greatly declined, with its military participation reallocated to UN-sanctioned operations through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[14] This military reallocation resulted in a shift towards more militarized and deadly missions, rather than traditional peacekeeping duties.[15]

  1. ^ Rudderham, M. A. (2008). "Canada and United Nations Peace Operations: Challenges, Opportunities, and Canada's Response". International Journal. 63 (2). [Sage Publications, Ltd., Canadian International Council]: 359–384. doi:10.1177/002070200806300210. ISSN 0020-7020. JSTOR 40204368.
  2. ^ "Canada and Peacekeeping". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Jun 30, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Sens, Allen; Stoett, Peter (2013). Global Politics (5th ed.). Nelson Education. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-17-648249-7. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  4. ^ "Plans at a glance and operating context". Global Affairs Canada. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. ^ Munton, Don; Keating, Tom (2001). "Internationalism and the Canadian Public". Canadian Journal of Political Science / Revue canadienne de science politique. 34 (3). Canadian Political Science Association: 517–549. doi:10.1017/S0008423901777992. ISSN 0008-4239. JSTOR 3233002. S2CID 154625162. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Chapnick, Adam (2011). The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations. UBC Press. pp. 2–5. ISBN 978-0-7748-4049-1. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  7. ^ Gabryś, M.; Soroka, T. (2017). Canada as a selective power: Canada's Role and International Position after 1989. Societas. Neriton, Wydawnictwo. p. 39. ISBN 978-83-7638-792-5. Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  8. ^ Donaghy, Greg (2016). "The politics of accommodation: Canada, the Middle East, and the Suez Crisis, 1950–1956". International Journal: Canada's Journal of Global Policy Analysis. 71 (2): 313–327. doi:10.1177/0020702016643261. ISSN 0020-7020.
  9. ^ Gaffen, Fred (1987). In The Eye of The Storm: A History of Canadian Peacekeeping. Deneau & Wayne Publishers. p. 43.
  10. ^ Anker, Lane (June 20, 2005). "Peacekeeping and Public Opinion". Government of Canada, National Defence, Canadian Defence Academy. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Carroll, Michael K (2016). "Peacekeeping: Canada's past, but not its present and future?". International Journal. 71 (1). [Sage Publications, Ltd., Canadian International Council]: 167–176. doi:10.1177/0020702015619857. ISSN 0020-7020. JSTOR 44631172. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Murray, R.W.; Gecelovsky, P. (2021). The Palgrave Handbook of Canada in International Affairs. Canada and International Affairs. Springer International Publishing. pp. 187–189. ISBN 978-3-030-67770-1.
  13. ^ "Honouring 60 Years of United Nations Peacekeeping". United Nations. May 29, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Linda McQuaig (2010). Holding the Bully's Coat: Canada and the U.S. Empire. Random House Digital. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-385-67297-9.
  15. ^ James, P.; Michaud, N.; O'Reilly, M. (2006). Handbook of Canadian Foreign Policy. Lexington Books. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-7391-5580-6.