The Canadian Department of Peace: history and potential

In: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/33842

Abstract

This thesis examines the possibility of establishing a Department of Peace (DOP) as a Department of the Government of Canada. The topic has been introduced in Parliament twice--in 2009 as Bill C-447 and in 2011 as Bill C-373; neither Bill received any further action beyond the First Reading. The thesis, based on relevant literature and oral interviews, evaluates the establishment of the DOP in the context of the Canadian peace tradition as well as other global peace developments. It concludes that, in view of the priorities of the current government and the general mood in Canadian society, it is not realistic to expect a DOP to be implemented at present but that it has great potential to move the peace agenda in Canada forward. ; May 2019