Liberal statement on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

May 29, 2015

MONTREAL – Liberal Critic for Foreign Affairs, Marc Garneau, today made the following statement on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers:

“Today, we celebrate peacekeepers, in Canada and around the world, who have dedicated their lives to promoting global peace and security.

“We can be deeply proud that it was Canadian values and leadership that laid the foundation for United Nations peacekeeping. In the midst of the 1956 Suez Crisis, Canadian diplomat and future Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson, recognized the need for a UN force to monitor and observe the peace process. Canada provided the first generation of peacekeeping operations with troops, and paved the way for future initiatives on the part of the international community. Since that time, the goals of peacekeeping missions have expanded to include establishing sustainable peace by strengthening the rule of law, increasing government accountability, and promoting peaceful reconciliation.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I commend our Canadian peacekeepers for their contributions to the advancement of global peace and human rights. Moreover, I reaffirm our commitment to providing assistance to peace processes in post-conflict states, and to working with the international community to create conditions that facilitate the resolution of violent conflict.”