Two of Canada’s most prominent figures in the field of human security, peacebuilding and disarmament have called for the creation of a Canadian Department of Peace and for all national political leaders to respond to this proposal.

The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sen. Douglas Roche(ret.), former Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament, state in their letter that, “although many federal departments have peace-related mandates, a Department of Peace would have the authority and resources to coordinate effective policy direction,” and that, this initiative will strengthen Canada’s ability to provide “the global leadership needed to successfully navigate the 21st century.” The new department would function in close collaboration with Foreign Affairs, DND, CIDA and civil society groups.

The letter was arranged by the Working Group for a Federal Department of Peace with chapters in Victoria, Ottawa and Vancouver, and others in the formative stage. The Working Group has received endorsements from many groups across Canada and will be organizing the Second International Summit for Departments of Peace at Royal Roads University in Victoria, June 21, 22. The text from the letter appears below.

OPEN LETTER TO NATIONAL PARTY LEADERS CALLING FOR A DEPARTMENT OF PEACE

As Canada is pressed to forge ever closer ties with U.S. defence policy and the “war on terror,” it is time to create a Department of Peace, committed to peacebuilding, conflict prevention and disarmament, central to our political tradition. As an internationally-committed nation, Canada must provide the global leadership needed to successfully navigate the 21st century with policies based on the security of all peoples.

The Human Security Report (September, 2005) states that substantial gains have been made in the human security field, especially by UN peace operations. The RAND Corporation found that the UN has been successful in its nation-building missions two-thirds of the time. Civil society organizations have been crucial to this achievement and to the world-wide spread of what the report calls the norm of “war-aversion.” These gains have occurred despite inadequate resources, ad hoc planning and lack of support from the countries most able to help.

It is precisely in this arena that a Department of Peace would function, in close collaboration with Foreign Affairs, National Defence and civil society. Although many federal departments have peace-related mandates, a Department of Peace would have the authority and resources to coordinate effective policy direction.

A Department of Peace is supported by Canadians across the country. We look forward to a response to this proposal from all of our national political leaders.