A participant on one of my recent heritage walks incorrectly made the point that Canada has played no role in either the United Nations mandate or various world events that continue to arise, which has prompted this column on Canada’s crucial role in the establishment of the UN, its charter, human rights charter and participation in various ‘on the ground’ mandates.
I have met several individuals locally who were part of the UN’s mandate over the years, whether as a member of a peacekeeping force or working with one of the agencies, so this examination of our role is personal for me. Here are a few highlights of Canada's involvement since the end of the Second World War.
Canadian diplomats actively participated in the drafting of the UN Charter during the San Francisco Conference in 1945. Lester B. Pearson, who later became prime minister of Canada, was one of the key figures in these negotiations. You will remember that in my column about William Lyon Mackenzie King, I mentioned he was part of the inaugural meeting of the world powers charged with the establishment of the UN.
Canadian representatives, including Mackenzie King and External Affairs minister Louis St. Laurent, were actively involved in discussions leading up to the creation of the UN. Pearson, then Canada’s undersecretary of external affairs, played a crucial role in shaping the principles and structure.
Canada supported the concept of collective world security and the need for international co-operation to prevent conflicts.
There was a time that if one mentioned Canada anywhere in the world, there was an instant acknowledgement of our record of peacekeeping, which had been a hallmark of our foreign policy. Pearson, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis, is generally considered as the father of modern peacekeeping.
It amazes me many have forgotten Canada was a founding member of the UN. We were one of the original 51 member countries that signed the UN Charter on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco.
Canada actively participated in all discussions on the inclusion of a commitment to human rights in the UN Charter. Canada’s role in the establishment of the UN reflected its commitment to multi-lateralism, international co-operation, and promotion of peace and security around the world.
Canada also played a significant role in the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is distinct from the UN Charter but is a crucial component of the broader framework of international human rights. The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948, and was moved by our Canadian representative.
John Peters Humphrey, a Canadian jurist and professor, was the principal drafter of the UDHR. He served as the director of the human rights division at the UN Secretariat and was key in articulating the principles that form the foundation of the UDHR.
Canada worked with Eleanor Roosevelt, United States first lady, and provided a Canadian perspective to the charter’s articles. The newspapers of the day highlighted Roosevelt, as chair of the UN Human Rights Commission, as a driving force behind the UDHR. However, Canada’s representatives, including Humphrey and others, made substantial contributions to the drafting process. Sadly, we tend to forget this vital part of our history.
Canada would play a role in promoting the idea that human rights are universal and should apply to everyone, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or other characteristics — a cornerstone principle of the UDHR. Although not legally binding, the UDHR has had a profound impact on subsequent international human rights instruments.
Like many of the principles embedded in global agreements, Canada, like most countries, has had a few hiccups along the way. The treatment of Indigenous peoples is most certainly a blight on our human rights record.
Here is a brief listing of Canada’s missions around the world below in support of its UN mandate.
Canada maintains a Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, delivering on its multilateral foreign policy priorities. Its mission is through diplomacy, negotiation, and the analysis of UN activities to work to advance Canada’s interests and strengthen the pillars of the UN.
Canada also maintains a Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Here, diplomatic representation and communications between the Canadian government, the UN, its associated bodies, and many other global entities based in Geneva are co-ordinated.
Canada has seats on many UN-based programs such as the environment program and human settlements program in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Permanent Mission of Canada to the International Organizations in Vienna manages Canada’s diplomatic relationship with the multilateral organizations headquartered in Vienna. These include the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Canada has served on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member on eight occasions, with the most recent term being in 2000.
Canada also plays a leading international role in the development of global indicators as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has mobilized significant financial support for sustainable development abroad.
Canada also maintains a Permanent Mission to the food and agriculture agencies of the UN out of our embassy in Rome, Italy, where we promote Canadian interests through our strategic engagement with, and oversight over several agencies.
Canada also is part of additional diplomatic missions accredited to the UN, including the International Civil Aviation Organization based in Montreal, the International Maritime Organization in London, England, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization based in Paris.
While one can and should evaluate the effectiveness or advocacy of each of these institutions, it remains a fact that we more than pull our weight in world affairs, and we have since the advent of the UN.
Sources: Canada and the United Nations essay, Government of Canada website; External Affairs website, Government of Canada; The Structure of Canadian History, by J.L. Findlay and D.N. Sprague; columns from NewmarketToday’s Remember This series; Toronto Star; The Canadian Encyclopedia — United Nations, by John W. Holmes, Don Page; Resources for History Teachers website.
Newmarket resident Richard MacLeod, the History Hound, has been a local historian for more than 40 years. He writes a weekly feature about our town’s history in partnership with NewmarketToday, conducts heritage lectures and walking tours of local interest, and leads local oral history interviews.
