Petition from Peace Train tabled in the House of Commons

 

Gord Johns, national defence critic for the federal NDP, tabled a petition from the Peace Train in the House of Commons on May 29. 

In his presentation to the House, Johns noted that the closing of the Pearson Peace Centre meant that “Canada lost an important civilian-led independent institution and structure that supported effective research, training and training.” 

He went on to share the Peace Train’s call to “reestablish a centre of excellence for peace and justice focused on research, education, training, conflict resolution, diplomacy and peace operations for Canadian civilians, police and military personnel and the international community.” 

Watch his presentation in the House of Commons. Below find the petition.

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament 

Whereas: For lasting peace and security, the first line of defense is skillfully addressing the underlying causes of conflict to prevent escalation; 

For lasting peace, military deterrence must take place within the context of long-term solutions identified through research and analysis; 

In the North Atlantic Treaty’s Article 1, parties “undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means…and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”; 

Within its NATO funding commitment, Canada can and should establish a national centre dedicated to peace building and should contribute much more funding, training, equipment, and personnel to UN peace-keeping; 

In the North Atlantic Treaty’s Article 2, known as the Canada Clause, parties “will contribute toward further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening its free institutions…and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being.”; 

Canada’s pre-eminent free institutions dedicated to peace building have been terminated, including the Pearson Peacekeeping Center and the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security; 

The Standing Committee on National Defence Report, May 2019, recommends: “That the Government of Canada re-establish the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre with a mandate including but not limited to conflict research, conflict prevention and mediation, civilian protection…”; and 

The Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association advocates for the re-establishment of the former Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. 

Therefore: We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to establish and fund, as a fundamental part of Canada’s increasing commitment to defence and security, an independent Canadian Centre for Peace dedicated to peace-keeping and global security through research, education, policy, and training in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and peace operations for Canadian civilians, police, military personnel, and the international community.




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