Foreign Affairs minister says peacekeeping more complicated than years past

When Canada first introduced peacekeepers into the Suez Canal conflict in the late 1950’s, they were “welcomed” into the war zone, Dion said.

“You had two countries exhausted by their fight, but not having confidence in each other,” Dion said. “You don’t have that anymore. As I speak there is not one war of opposing states. Today, it is more complex and that’s why the expertise of Canada is so welcome.”

He said aside from soldiers, Canada will be looking to activate pilots, military engineers, doctors, communications specialists, mine clearers, legal experts, development advisors and police officers for future United Nations missions.

“These asymmetrical conflicts also call for military intervention undertaken in close co-operation with local authorities such as NATO, the European Union, the African Union and others,” he told a lunch crowd of 300 at an event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

“That is why Canada wants to re-engage with these institutions, the UN first and foremost among them.”

The Conservatives have criticized the government’s new interest in peacekeeping, claiming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to win favour with the UN in order to gain a Security Council seat.

Conservatives say the country’s interests are best served when the military is in specific combat roles, such as the former bombing mission in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State.

Giuseppe Valiante, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Foreign Affairs minister says peacekeeping more complicated than years past

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