Peacekeeping ego

Canadians brag endlessly that we are the best peacekeepers in the entire world. Peacekeeping is supposedly something that fundamentally defines who we are a people, and in commemoration we even have a “tribute to Canadian peacekeeping” on the back of our 10 dollar bill.

But our bragging hasn’t really kept up with reality, sadly. Canada no longer actually contributes very much to UN peacekeeping missions around the globe. Today we rank lower than several countries in Africa and South America in terms of participation.

Now the UN is begining a new, ambitious peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon; perhaps the most ambitious peacekeeping operation in decades. Prime Minister Harper has made it very clear Canada will not be contributing to the mission.

I’m sure there are legitimate reasons, but still… isn’t it time we retired the myth of the Canadian peacekeeper already? You have to work hard to keep a reputation, and Canada simply isn’t doing that.

• 

• Tweet