Establish Canadian Centre for Peace
Petitioners ask Parliament to establish and fund a Canadian Centre for Peace for research, policy and peacekeeping training for civilians, police and military. The government responds it supports peace operations and is studying options.
Why we would sign this petition
- Restores a national peacebuilding institution and expertise lost when previous centres were closed, enabling coordinated research and training.
- Improves Canada’s capacity to prepare civilians, police and military for UN and international peace operations through dedicated, standardized training and policy guidance.
- Centralizes research and policy to focus on conflict prevention and long-term solutions alongside defence efforts, supporting more coherent peacekeeping contributions.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Could duplicate existing programs and institutions since Canada already funds peace operations, runs training programs and has related centres and initiatives.
- Would require significant funding and administration; creating and staffing a new national centre may divert resources from active deployments or other priorities.
- May be premature while the government is studying options and has already launched related initiatives; evaluating and strengthening current programs could be a better step first.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled Whereas: • For lasting peace and security, the first line of defense is skilfully addressing the underlying causes of conflict to prevent escalation; • For lasting peace, military deterrence must take place within the context of long-term solutions identified through research and analysis; • In the North Atlantic Treaty's Article 1, parties "undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means...and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations."; • Within its NATO funding commitment, Canada can and should establish a national centre dedicated to peace building and should contribute much more funding, training, equipment, and personnel to UN peace-keeping; • In the North Atlantic Treaty's Article 2, known as the Canada Clause, parties "will contribute toward further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening its free institutions...and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being."; • Canada's pre-eminent free institutions dedicated to peace building have been terminated, including the Pearson Peacekeeping Center and the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security; • The Standing Committee on National Defence Report, May 2019, recommends: "That the Government of Canada re-establish the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre with a mandate including but not limited to conflict research, conflict prevention and mediation, civilian protection..."; and • The Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association advocates for the re-establishment of the former Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. Therefore: We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to establish and fund, as a fundamental part of Canada's increasing commitment to defence and security, an independent Canadian Centre for Peace dedicated to peace-keeping and global security through research, education, policy, and training in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and peace operations for Canadian civilians, police, military personnel, and the international community.
Government response
Response by the Minister of National Defence Signed by The Honourable David J. McGuinty Canada is proud to contribute to peace support operations around the world through funding, specialist personnel, tactical airlift, advanced medical care, and specialized training support. Canada’s current peacekeeping deployments focus on specialized capabilities and expertise – with 21 military members currently deployed to four United Nations (UN) missions in the Middle East and Africa. The Canada-led Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations is one example of Canada’s broader efforts to support UN Peacekeeping, as well as to advance the objectives of the Women, Peace and Security agenda both at home and abroad. Since 2017, the Elsie Initiative has worked to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peace operations. In addition, Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program is mandated to develop the capacity of its 60 non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries to undertake UN-sanctioned multilateral operations, and sponsors a range of training and other support. This includes training in areas such as the English and French language, Peace and Security, civil-military cooperation, international law of armed conflict, and first aid.?The Military Training and Cooperation Program works with a variety of delivery partners who provide expertise and instruction, including the UN Institute for Training and Research, various international peace support training centres, and Canada’s own Peace Support Training Centre located at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. Canada is also the eighth largest contributor to the United Nations Peace Operations Budget, a top five contributor to voluntary funding, and a major donor to the Peacebuilding Fund. Taken together, these efforts contribute to the rules based international order and promote respect for human rights and justice, while also ensuring peacekeepers are prepared for modern challenges. While there are currently no plans to open a Centre of Excellence for Peace and Justice, Canada established the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security in June 2019. Residing within the Canadian Defence Academy, the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security serves as an enduring platform for research and education on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The Centre also focuses on other human security topics relevant to Canadian Armed Forces operations, doctrine, and training. For decades, Canada has played a key role in supporting UN Peace Operations, and we will continue to contribute to UN efforts to build peace and security around the world. Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant In 2019 and 2021, the Prime Minister mandated both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development with the joint responsibility for establishing the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Government. Since that time, Global Affairs Canada has had considerable engagement with experts, stakeholders, and like-minded countries with respect to the establishment of such a Centre. This is consistent with Canada’s commitment to human rights and democracy as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world, and Canada’s work in speaking up for the protection and promotion of human rights and the advancement of democratic principles. Options for implementation are still under consideration by the Government. At the same time, Canada has a long and proud history of supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations, with over 125,000 Canadians having served to promote peace and encourage the conditions for reconciliation in conflict-affected areas. Canada contributes high-value assets, including funding, specialist personnel, tactical airlift, advanced medical care, and specialized training support. Currently, Canadian military and police personnel serve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), South Sudan (United Nations Mission in South Sudan), the Middle East (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization), Cyprus (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus), and Kosovo (United Nations Mission in Kosovo), where they provide specialized expertise across a variety of disciplines. Canada also provides support and technical expertise to address misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and hate speech in peacekeeping contexts. By focusing on these areas, Canada ensures peacekeepers are prepared for modern challenges. Financially, Canada is the eighth largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping budgets through assessed contributions, a top five contributor to voluntary funding, and a major donor to the Peacebuilding Fund. Canada also supports the work of United Nations peacekeeping operations through its leadership on key policy initiatives, such as the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, a global effort that seeks to increase the meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping. Launched in 2017, the Elsie Initiative has worked to go beyond increasing numerical targets to ensure that women are represented substantially across ranks and functions, in non-traditional roles and positions of authority, in enabling environments that offer parity of deployment conditions, and in assignments that correspond to their experience and training. In addition, Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program is mandated to develop the capacity of its 60 non- North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries to undertake United Nations-sanctioned multilateral operations and sponsors a range of training and other support. This includes training in areas such as the English and French language, Peace and Security, civil-military cooperation, international law of armed conflict, and first aid. The Military Training and Cooperation Program works with a variety of delivery partners who provide expertise and instruction, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, various international peace support training centers, and Canada’s own Peace Support Training Centre located at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also has a peace operations program that provides comprehensive pre-deployment training to Canadian civilians and police personnel prior to deployment to missions abroad, in addition to providing training internationally through Pre-Selection Assistance and Assessment training projects. Canada established the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security in June 2019. Residing within the Canadian Defense Academy, the Centre supports the enhancement of the Canadian Armed Force’s effectiveness, by serving as an enduring platform for research and education on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The Centre also focuses on other human security topics relevant to Canadian Armed Forces operations, doctrine and training. For decades, Canada has played a key role in supporting United Nations peace operations and will continue to be a steadfast contributor to United Nations efforts to build peace and security around the world.