The International Roles of Canada

Following the conclusion of World War 2, an organization called the United Nations was created. It was off the base structure of its predecessor the League of Nations from WW1. Based on collective security, Canada was a founding member. Considered a “Middle Power,” Canada was not seen as a threat to the global stage and was often used to mediate between opposing countries. This was apparent during the 1956 Suez Crisis. President Nasser of Egypt took then Suez Canal to shorted the route from Europe to the Indian Ocean. This cause a conflict between many countries because Egypt had no right to build on or use the canal. Canada took a step up and Lester Pearson gladly went to the UN and proposed that the United Nations Emergency Force should be sent to mediate between opposing armies. Through a single man in Canada, this crisis was resolved without any bloodshed.


After World War 2, tensions between countries were still high and the Cold War broke out between the USA and USSR. Canada, being situation between the two countries, was reluctantly brought into this war. To aid in the protection of North American airspace and the area of Western Europe, Canada was, again, one of they founding members of NATO or North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. The goal of Canada and NATO was to protect allies but avoid nuclear war at all costs. For many years, Canada was on guard for nuclear missiles from the Soviets and had an army available in case war did break out.


Not every action of Canada was good in the years following World War 2. In 1992, the United Nations started an operation on Somalia to help them recover from their many years of starvation and civil war. During this time, a Somali youth was found lost in the base of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. A soldier arrested the boy but then subjected the teen to brutal torture throughout the night until he passed away. It was first discovered that it was low-level officers who had committed the deed but following the incident, high level cover up was also uncovered. These actions resulted in the conclusion of the Airborne Regiment and dramatically affected Canada’s reputation.