The Federal NDP Caucus supports, in principle, the creation of a Department of Peace. This success comes after nearly two years of lobbying and a meeting with members of Caucus in Ottawa on March 28, 2007.

LETTER DATED MAY 3, 2007

Dear Dr. Arbess and Dr. Bhaneja,

Thank you for your follow-up email regarding the NDP Caucus’ discussion regarding the Department of Peace Initiative. The NDP caucus shares a common belief that the promotion of peace should be placed firmly at the heart of Canadian foreign policy. The NDP is Canada’s only federal party to have combined the Defence portfolio with Peace Advocacy (currently held by Dawn Black). On the Department of Peace initiative in particular, the NDP caucus supports, in principle, a federal Department of Peace as an important Ministerial position which could, if carefully considered and properly implemented, provide critical leadership in the heart of government towards ensuring the Canadian government’s awareness of and commitment to the promotion of peace worldwide.

However, the NDP recognizes that there are many questions that need to be addressed if such a Department is to work effectively. The language of peace can and has been all too frequently used to veil violent projects. Consequently, any Department of Peace must exist in more than name, but must be subject to a clear mandate, objectives and activities which would ensure the genuine advancement of peace not only within its own operations, but throughout the whole of government.

It is because we take this proposal seriously that we want to make sure it is well-developed as an effective policy vehicle towards the ultimate desired end, which is a greater focus and effort on the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution and support for the conditions of conflict prevention worldwide.

I look forward to working with you further in developing this important concept. Please feel free to contact me with any further ideas and comments you may have.

Warm regards,
Darren Brunk
Legislative and Communications Assistant
Adjoint Législatif; Adjoint aux communications

Alexa McDonough, MP/ Députée Halifax
Foreign Affairs and International Development Critic;
Porte-parole pour les affaires étrangères et le développement international.
Tel: (613)995-4492 Fax/Télécopier: (613)992-8569 www.alexahfx.ca
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