Peacekeeping
Founded after the Second World War, The United Nations have goals of international peace and the prevention of another global war. Canada has been a significant contributor in peacekeeping missions since 1948 and continues to do so today.
In 1956, Britain, France, Egypt, and Israel were in a conflict over the Suez Canal. To ease tensions, an armed peacekeeping force was proposed by Canadian Secretary of State and future Prime Minister; Lester B. Pearson.
Pearson was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for this concept. This campaign set an example for future peacekeeping missions.
(Voice of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, 1956)
In Cyprus, tensions were growing between Turkish and Greek Forces due to historical ethnic division as well as British interference. To de-escalate the situation, the UN sent peacekeepers in 1964. Canadians took many roles as they stopped disputes and kept peace between the two sides.
With the 1974 invasion of Turkish forces, Canadians fought back. Eventually a ceasefire was issued, and Canadians patrolled around “The Green Line.” This stressful and often dangerous position, with the threat at any moment, was difficult to be in.
(Voice of Saskatchewan peacekeeping veteran Murray Allan, 2024)
Following the fall of the Soviet Union and the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Balkans became contested. In 1992, Canadian forces were deployed. Canadian peacekeepers found themselves in combat either protecting innocent civilians or themselves from the warring parties.
Throughout the conflict, Canadian forces were faced with violent combat, especially in the Medak pocket. Here they witnessed war crimes by enemy forces.
Another important operation is the Stabilization Mission in Haiti after an ousting of the president at the time (2004-2017). This is a prime example of Canadians playing a policing and humanitarian role in a peacekeeping campaign.
To date, more than 125,000 Canadians have served in UN peacekeeping operations. As of 2020, 123 Canadians have died on such missions. Additionally, countless veterans have endured psychological and physical injuries.
Murray Allan, born in 1950, was raised on a farm near Creelman, Saskatchewan. Murray joined the Canadian Army in 1973. Over his 28 years of service he was posted to many locations across Canada and deployed on missions to Cyprus, Afghanistan/Pakistan and Bosnia. On leaving the Regular Army, he transferred to the Royal Regina Rifles, an Army Reserve unit and completed a further tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2009. He retired in 2010.
Canada has been key in both the formation, and the continuation of peacekeeping since immediately after the foundation of the UN. Canadians still serve in UN peacekeeping operations around the world.
Written by: Mason Hausermann & Eric Salminen Villarmin, of the University of Regina.
Honouring the Canadian Armed Forces and its members past and present
© 2024 The Royal United Services Institute of Regina
