Edmonton, Alberta – Yesterday, at 11:00 a.m., the United Nations’ flag was raised at the Alberta RCMP’s K Division Headquarters in Edmonton to mark August 9th as National Peacekeepers’ Day. On hand for raising the flag were representatives from the Edmonton Police Service, the Corps of Commissionaires (working at RCMP K Division HQ) and the RCMP. National Peacekeepers’ Day is an opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifices of thousands of Canadian police who have served on missions overseas in challenging circumstances.
A/Detective Nathalie Perreault, Edmonton Police Service, (Haiti) 2014-2015
Chief Warrant Officer Stephane GROULX, Corps of Commissionaires (Haiti) 1997 and (Central Africa Republic) 1999
Sgt. David Smith, Corps of Commissionaires, (Golan Heights) 1996-97, 1999-2000
Cpl. Tony Peddle, Corps of Commissionaires, (Cyprus) 1977
Commissionaire Ron Gallant, Corps of Commissionaires, (Cyprus) 1990, (Former Yugoslavia) 1993
Commissioner’s Statement: National Peacekeepers’ Day – August 9, 2016
August 5, 2016
Ottawa, Ontario
Statement
Every year on August 9, Canada marks National Peacekeepers’ Day to honour and remember the significant service and sacrifices of all Canadian peacekeepers, including military, police and civilian personnel. Ceremonies will take place across Canada, and a national ceremony will take place at the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa.
Since 1989, more than 3,500 Canadian police officers have served on some 60 peace operations in 30 countries around the world, establishing a reputation for excellence in international policing through their leadership, professionalism, resourcefulness and dedication.
Canada’s policing goal in international peace operations is to support national and international efforts to reform and build a country’s capacity to provide effective, professional and responsive police services to citizens of troubled states.
Today, there are Canadian police officers serving in Cambodia, Haiti, Ukraine and the West Bank. Being deployed to some of the world’s most challenging places in the service of peace is a significant sacrifice. These police officers live in danger and face many hardships while spending time away from their loved ones. Yet, police officers continue to participate in these important missions.
National Peacekeepers’ Day affords all of us as Canadians the opportunity to express our pride not only in members of the Canadian Forces, but also in members of the RCMP and other police services, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and civilians who have supported and continue to support international and domestic peace and security operations.
Thank you to all of our peacekeepers, those who have served and those currently serving.
Bob Paulson
Commissioner
National Peacekeepers’ Day, August 9
August 9th is a day to honour and remember all Canadian peacekeepers who have served or are currently serving in support of peace operations around the world. Every year, on this date, Canadian military members and veterans as well as police officers come together in ceremonies across the country to mark National Peacekeepers’ Day. Officially established in 2008, the date was chosen to commemorate the events of August 9, 1974, when nine Canadian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt and Israel lost their lives when their plane was shot down over Syria.
A national ceremony is held in Ottawa at the Peacekeeping Monument on the Sunday closest to August 9. It is organized by the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping (CAVUNP), the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans’ Affairs Canada and the RCMP.
Other ceremonies held across Canada are generally organized by members of the Royal Canadian Legion or CAVUNP. Mission veterans who are interested in participating in a ceremony should contact the local chapters of these organizations to find out if a ceremony is being planned in their area.
You may also find a local ceremony on the Veterans Affairs Calendar of Events (click onSearch to view all upcoming events for a given calendar year).
Canadian police in peace operations
Since 1989, more than 3,500 Canadian police officers have served on some 60 peace operations in 30 countries around the world, establishing a reputation for excellence in international policing through their leadership, professionalism, resourcefulness and dedication. Currently, police officers from across Canada are serving in Cambodia, Haiti, Ukraine and the West Bank.
Three Canadian police officers have died serving on peace operations missions overseas. In January 2010, two RCMP members, Chief Superintendent Doug Coates and Sergeant Mark Gallagher perished in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. In December 2005, retired RCMP Sgt. Mark Bourque also lost his life in Haiti while serving with CANADEM, a Canadian non-governmental organization.
