Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, and Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino issued the following statement today to recognize National Peacekeepers' Day:
"Today, we are proud to honour and remember the significant service and sacrifices of all Canadian peacekeepers, including military, police, and civilians. We join all Canadians in recognizing and paying tribute to our peacekeepers and Veterans for their tireless efforts and commitment to building a safer world. In 2008, August 9 was selected as National Peacekeepers' Day to recognize the greatest single-day loss of Canadian lives on a peacekeeping mission. On this day in 1974, a Canadian military transport aircraft was shot down by Syrian missiles during a regular resupply mission in the Middle East, claiming the lives of nine Canadian peacekeepers. Over the years, approximately 130 Canadian peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace. Their bravery is reflected in the selfless work of peacekeepers around the world and we continue to honour them today, and remain committed to telling their stories.
Since the late 1940s, Canadian peacekeepers have participated in numerous international peace and security operations. More than 125,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), over 4,000 police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Indigenous, provincial, municipal, and regional police organizations, as well as thousands of Canadian diplomats and civilians have had direct impacts on regions and people affected by conflict. We sincerely thank all those who have upheld Canada's values by providing peace and security in some of the world's most volatile regions over the decades, and stress our steadfast support and deepest gratitude to them and their families.
CAF members, police officers, and civilians are currently serving on peace and security operations around the world, including supporting the United Nations as well as a number of other organizations and nations. We remain committed to our pledge to peacekeeping and to supporting global peace and security in the face of evolving challenges. This is why the Government of Canada continues to work diligently to take tangible steps to reform and modernize peace and stabilization operations. We created the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, to increase the meaningful participation of women in UN peace operations, to ensure that peace operations better reflect the communities they serve. Additionally, under Operation PRESENCE, a Tactical Airlift Detachment consisting of one CC-130J Hercules aircraft, which is operated and supported by up to 30 CAF members, is assisting peacekeeping internationally by transporting troops, equipment and supplies to UN missions.Through the Vancouver Principles, we are also helping ensure children remain children by working to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers in peacekeeping missions.
Canada also continues to support the UN with expertise, funding and specialized capabilities to increase UN missions' efficiency and effectiveness. We are responding to UN needs on key issues that Canada has long supported, including gender equality, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, specialized training and capacity-building, and protecting civilians, particularly children, from the impact of conflict and violence.
To the Canadian peacekeepers who have previously deployed, and to those currently deployed around the world, we thank you for your service to peace."
