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This week, two peace-related motions were put in the Notice Paper: one advocating for the establishment of a federal Department of Peace; the other endorsing the development of a Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC). 

Sponsored by NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior), these motions call for Canada to take stronger political leadership for supporting non-violent means of preventing and reducing conflict at home and abroad, and for recognizing the pivotal role civilians can play in building sustainable peace.    

The text of the motions, introduced on June 21, is as follows:

M-248 — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should establish a Department of Peace as part of the structure of the federal government and cabinet with a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad, the professionalization of peace work by Canadians, and the development of a culture of peace in Canada and internationally.

M-247 — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should adopt the recommendations of the Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC) Development Committee and should: (a) accept the constructive role civilians with peace building expertise can play in advising government on alternatives to military approaches to resolution of conflict; (b) enter into discussions with the CPSC Development Committee to further develop the concept of a CPSC; (c) develop and refine an assessment, training and accreditation program for peace professionals; (d) deliver two pilot training programs to test the concept and the training; (e) determine how Canada, through the CPSC and in consideration of a federal Department of Peace, can best contribute to sustainable peace in Canada and abroad; and (f) report back to the House on progress towards implementing these recommendations within six months of the passage of this motion.

This is not the first time the concept of a Department of Peace has been introduced in Canadian Parliament. Atamanenko is taking up the mantle of his former colleague, now-retired NDP MP Bill Siksay, who previously tabled a motion as well as an ambitious Private Members' bill that drew up the department's architecture.

Bill C-447 (the Department of Peace Act)— moved by Siksay on March 3, 2010, and seconded by Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis—outlined a ministry that would serve as the government's central agency for strategic peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding activities. As mapped out in the legislation, the department would consist of five branches, one of which would house a Civilian Peace Service.

When the 40th Parliament came to a dramatic end on March 25, 2011, Bill C-447 in its current incarnation died along with it. As it stood, however, the legislation had reached first reading with the maximum number of joint-seconders permitted. Additionally, there was a complementary motion on the floor—M-463, introduced by Siksay and seconded by Jack Layton—that called on the House to support a Department of Peace in principle.

Although this bill died with Parliament's dissolution, Atamanenko has indicated his intent to reintroduce the legislation in the fall while working closely with peace advocates such as the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI)—a civil society movement dedicated to strengthening the institutional capacity for peacebuilding within the Canadian political landscape. CDPI's sister organization, Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC), will also continue working towards building sustainable peace, particularly through its unique methodology for accrediting peace professionals. CPSC's long-term vision is to generate a large cadre of qualified peace professionals who can work in areas susceptible to, or currently in, conflict, and who are competent in conflict prevention, transformation, and peacebuilding.

Private Members' business (such as motions and bills) provides one avenue through which to raise the profile of non-violent alternatives within the political context. To build citizen support for its initiative, in January of this year CDPI launched a national petition to endorse the establishment of a Department of Peace. Continuing with this campaign, they aim to gather 10,000 signatures that can eventually be tabled in the House of Commons. In addition to signing this petition, interested constituents can contact their local MPs, asking them to sign-on to the two important motions tabled this week.

Both Mennonite Central Commttee Canada (MCC) and Mennonite Church Canada have been supporters of the Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) for several years. As such, we will continue to monitor and support the development of this concept within the Canadian government as the 41st Parliament moves forward.