Moved by National Women’s Liberal Commission

WHEREAS the Government of Canada has a constitutional responsibility for "peace, order and good government" (British North America Act, 1867, Article 91), making the federal government’s pursuit of peace an obligation, not an option;

WHEREAS Canada is a member of the United Nations (UN), which was founded "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" (Charter of the United Nations, preamble);

WHEREAS peace can prevail and endure only if we create institutions dedicated to promoting “a culture of peace and non-violence” (UNESCO, Manifesto 2000) in a society determined to use force only as an absolutely last resort;

WHEREAS this process of institutionalizing peace could include the establishment of peace committees, departments, and programs at all levels of government;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada urge the Government of Canada to establish a Department or Ministry of Peace and Non-Violence, with a mandate that includes the creation of a permanent Canadian Civilian Service of professionally trained men and women working for (i) the prevention of violent conflict and war, and (ii) the non-violent resolution of conflict, at every level of society, both within Canada and overseas, through such means as:

• detection of early warning signs;
• structured mediation;
• non-violent intervention;
• citizen diplomacy;
• protection of human rights;
• humanitarian and development assistance.