Peace & civil liberties

When Canadians are asked about the traditional role of the Canadian military, they speak with pride about Canadian participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. But many would be shocked to learn that Canada has abandoned its traditional role as a peacekeeper, in favour of supporting U.S.-led military intervention. While public pressure forced the government to say “no” to participation in the war in Iraq and Ballistic Missile Defence, Canada is quietly integrating its military policies with the U.S.

In 1992-93, participation in UN missions accounted for more than nine out of every 10 dollars spent on international operations. By 2004-05, spending on UN missions accounted for only 30 cents of every 10 dollars of Canada’s spending on military missions abroad. Meanwhile, people in Canada are seeing their human rights compromised by the incursion of U.S.-style “Homeland Security” measures, including harmonized refugee and immigration policies and anti-terrorism legislation that denies people the right to a fair trial.

To find out how to promote peace at home and abroad, check out the documents in this section. Or visit the websites of some of Canada’s leading peace organizations.

Statement on Canada’s Role in Afghanistan and other conflicts

ACTION ALERT: Demand the immediate, safe and orderly withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan

Read more in blog posts here by Brent Patterson, Director of Campaigns and Communications at the Council of Canadians, including:

• POLL: 60% of Canadians opposed to extended military mission in Afghanistan, April 9, 2010
• ACTION ALERT: Remember by stopping war, November 11, 2009
• Why is Canada at war in Kandahar? November 9, 2009

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PODCAST: Resistance across borders, Panel Discussion, Rabble.ca, April 21, 2010

Show Notes: Resistance Across Borders was held March 2nd in Toronto, as an opportunity to encourage understanding about Canada's involvement in war, as well as the implications of international conflict on security and borders. The event was organized by the Council of Canadians and CODEPINK, with rabble.ca as media sponsor. Its keynote speaker was Colonel Ann Wright, who was banned from entering Canada after leaving the US Army in 2003 because of her disagreement with the war in Iraq. The MC for Resistance Across Borders was Andrea Peloso, coordinator for CODEPINK in Toronto.

Speakers included: Stuart Trew, Trade Campaigner for the Council of Canadians; Patrick Hart, Iraq War Resister; and Col. Ann Wright. Questions: Col. Ann Wright hears audience comments. Graciela Flores, No One Is Illegal [Download event poster]

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The Council of Canadians is a proud sponsor of The Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP), a program of the Canadian Mennonite University, that has been created to serve practitioners, professionals, activists, students, non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups engaged in peacebuilding. The school’s goal is to “serve peacebuilders around the world by bringing them together in a collaborative learning community, nurturing and equipping them for various forms of peace practice and exposing them to some of the most significant, emerging ideas and teachers in the field.”