The Canadian Peace Initiative is a non-partisan organization, interested in working with any party to increase federal peace-building capacities, in particular through establishing a federal Department of Peace.

To help voters in this 2015 Federal Election, we have summarized statements of four major parties:

Openly supportive & active The NDP have twice introduced Private Members Bills specifically for the creation of a federal Department of Peace. They proclaim in their current plan they will work “to earn a Canadian seat at the United Nations Security Council – an important step in rebuilding Canada’s role as a leader in democratic development, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”

Openly supportive & active In the Green Party‘s vision statement, section 5.1, they pronounce their intent to “Create a Department of Peace and Security”. In 2011, Green Party leader Elizabeth May Seconded Bill C-373, an Act to Establish the Department of Peace.

Unknown  The Liberal Party states on their website that they “will contribute more to the United Nations’ mediation, conflict-prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction efforts,” but we do not yet have specific statements for establishing a Department of Peace.

Opposed  The Conservative Party‘s Hon. Jason Kenney (Minister of Defence) recently described in The Hill Times (reiterated on his website) that they are focused on increasing military capabilities. He opposed the Department of Peace concept, stating that “Instead of working with us to improve defence, the NDP co-sponsored a bill not long ago to create more bureaucracy with a ‘Department of Peace’?”

Profound appreciation goes to everyone who generously contributed to our recent crowdfunding campaign in 2015. 

89 people contributed a total of $8,728. Details of the use of the funds will be posted here in 2016. 

Thank you Adele Buckley, Alexandra Cleaver, Allison Dunn, Angela Bischoff, Angela Bischoff, Anita Hadley, Ann Mortifee, Anne Caza, Ashok Agarwal, Barbara Birkett, Bill Bhaneja, Bill Rathborne, Bruce Batchelor, Bruce Rosove, Carol Zhong, Chris Cutler, Christina Mills, Christopher Bowers, Claire Charron, Colleen Ring, Denis Farling, Diane Rae, Donald Woodside, Doreen Hunter, Enid Blackwell, Gordon Breedyk, Iman Ibrahim, Inger Hansen, Jane Keeler, Janice Mumford, Jean Cassidy, Jeff Gould, Joanna Wilkinson, John Grogan, Judie Diamond, Katherine McGinnis, Katherine Putt, Kevin Dunn, Kirsty Dunn, Larry Kazdan, Laura Fellman, Lorna Rennie, Lyn Adamson, Lynda MacLean Woodward, Maria McAdam, Marian Pape, Marilyn Goode, Marlyn Bennett, Mary Lunney, Mary-Ellen Francoeur, MC Lessard, Michael Coon, Michael Nickerson, Morgan Callison, Nicole Charron, Paul Maillet, R & D Daniels, Rizwan Gehlen, Sandy Mayzell, Sheila Poole, Stan Olsen, Steve Christie, Susan Gingell, Susan Koncan, Suzanne Laroque, Suzanne Stocker, Tanis Moore, Tara Leduc, Yao Daniel Konan, Yvonne Haist. Some chose not to have their name recorded here, but they are nevertheless profoundly thanked.

We are very encouraged by the passage of the following motion at the 2014 Liberal National Convention (held February 20-23):

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada urge the next Liberal government of Canada to establish a governmental institution for peace with a mandate that includes the creation of a permanent Canadian Civilian Service of professionally trained men and women working for (i) the prevention of violent conflict and war, and (ii) the non-violent resolution of conflict at every level of society, both within Canada and overseas, through such means as:

• detection of early warning signs
• structured mediation
• non-violent intervention
• protection of human rights
• humanitarian and development assistance
• citizen diplomacy