Peacekeeping expected to cost less than non-UN missions thanks to reimbursements
OTTAWA — One side benefit of Canada’s return to peacekeeping is that it could end up costing a lot less than leading a NATO force in Latvia or the war in Iraq.
The Liberal government announced last week that it will make up to 600 troops available for future United Nations peacekeeping operations, though it stopped short of saying where they could end up. Specialized units and equipment, such as military aircraft and medical personnel, are also on the table.
The commitment is in addition to the approximately 800 personnel participating in the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Canada’s promise in July to send up about 450 soldiers to lead a NATO force in Latvia starting next year.
Yet unlike those two missions, in which Canada is required to foot the entire bill, the UN reimburses countries that provide soldiers to peacekeeping missions, to the tune of more than $1,300 a month for each soldier. It will also often reimburse countries for the deployment of high-tech equipment.