A middle power adrift? Experts lament Canada’s diminished peacekeeping role

 

For decades, peacekeeping has been part of Canada’s identity — internationally and at home. 

Through the Cold War years, Canada provided about 10 per cent of the 800,000 or so peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 1993, there were over 4,000 Canadian peacekeepers deployed around the world. Altogether, over 125,000 Canadians have served with the United Nations as peacekeepers since the 1950s. 

Today, however, there are only about 60 Canadians serving as peacekeepers, and the federal government is reducing the number of missions where they serve — a decision made to “better align CAF resources with current defence priorities,” according to the Department of National Defence. 

On Sept. 16, defence experts convened to further explore this shift in peacekeeping. Titled “A Middle Power Adrift? Canada and the Future of Peacekeeping,” the Barton Dialogues webinar brought together experts to discuss the challenges and evolution of peacekeeping in a fragmented and multipolar world. 

Read about the webinar in Canadian Affairs.

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