Canadians used to be very proud of their warlike past. Now they prefer not to think of Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach and the like, instead they believe their international identity and self worth is defined by their peacekeeping efforts. No more shock troops of the Commonwealth but instead policemen of the UN.
The only problem with that (well not the only problem) is that the image doesn't quite fit the reality.
BOWING OUT
Canada's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world has slipped dramatically since 1991.
Canada's contribution to UN peacekeeping*
Area -Troops -Police -observers
MINUSTAH Haiti 4 72 *
MONUC Democratic Republic of the Congo * * 9
UNAMI Iraq * * 1
UNDOF Golan Heights 3 * *
UNFYCIP Cyprus 1 * *
UNMIS Sudan 7 2 24
UNMIT East Timor * 6 *
UNOCI Ivory Coast * 5 *
UNTSO Middle East * * 7
Total 15 85 41
*As of Jan. 31, 2007
Total military personnel on UN peacekeeping operations
Jan., 2007: 72,784, Canada's contribution: 56 (0.077%)
Aug., 1991: 10,801, Canada's contribution: 1,149 (10.6%)
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