Pledge: While no specific pledge has been made in this regard, service at UN headquarters provides a way to make a significant contribution, to gain Canadian experience in UN planning, procedures, and priorities, and to view the inner workings of the world organization. Positions to support UN peacekeeping should be in Department of Peace Operations or the Department of Operational Support. For the military, placements would be within the Office of Military Affairs within DPO.  

Current status (military)
UN employment: 0, out of more than 120 personnel serving from over 70 countries
Gratis personnel: 1, legal advice to the UN office dealing with Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

History: Canada provided the Military Adviser to the Secretary-General or MilAd, who is head of OMA,  from 1992 to 1995, namely Maurice Baril, Major-General at the time, later full general and Chief of Defence Staff. The last leadership post held by Canada in OMA was Chief, Military Planning Service: Col. Dave Barr, serving 2011-2015.    

Current status of Canadian police in UN Police Division 
UN employment: 0

Civilian positions: these are not contributions made by UN member states but are individual hired by the UN. However, in a major advance, Gilles Michaud, formerly with the RCMP, was appointed on 30 May 2019 as Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security.  Although the position is won on merit, it is usual for governments to support their citizens who are seeking such high-level positions. Still, is not a secondment from the Canadian police so it is not considered a Canadian governmental contribution. 

Positions at the Canadian Mission: 3 military and 1 police. The Trudeau government upgraded the rank of the Military Advisor (MilAd) in the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (PRMNY) from Colonel to Brigadier-General. At times in the past, the MilAd was also the “Dean” of the Military and Police Advicers Community (MPAC). The MilAd is assisted by two other military officers (often a LCol and a Major). A police advisor is also resident at PRMNY.  

 

Conclusion: Canada is lagging far behind other nations in an area where it once led.  

 

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