Liberals pledge up to 600 soldiers for UN peacekeeping operations
Posted Aug 25, 2016 10:48:53 PM.
Last Updated Aug 26, 2016 10:20:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Liberal government is putting the United Nations on notice that Canada is ready to provide money and, more importantly, troops for peacekeeping missions around the world.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion are unveiling plans to commit up to 600 Canadian soldiers – including engineers and medical units – for future peacekeeping operations, as well as equipment such as helicopters and planes.
It represents a dramatic increase over the 19 Canadian troops deployed on peacekeeping missions at the end of July, and brings the total more in line with the number of Canadian blue berets deployed in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Sajjan says Canada is committed to re-engaging in a full spectrum of multilateral peace operations.
The government is also setting aside $450 million over three years for projects that promote peace and security around the world, including the deployment of police officers and civilian experts.
The UN says 75 Canadian police officers and nine military experts were participating in missions at the end of July.
