Hopes for promised return to peacekeeping dashed as Canada pledges money, not troops
OTTAWA — Canada emerged from a high-profile peacekeeping summit in South Korea this week having pledged millions of dollars in new funds to help the UN execute its missions around the world.
Yet notably absent was any pledge of new troops and equipment to the UN, or any mention of Canada’s past promise to provide a 200-soldier quick reaction force to peacekeeping.
That was despite pressure from the U.S. to make good on that previous pledge and arrive in Seoul with plans to pledge much-needed medical personnel and drones to peacekeeping.
Experts say Canada’s commitment of $85 million over three years to various peacekeeping efforts is a sizable pledge compared to the amount of cash promised by other countries.