Liberals pledge up to 600 soldiers for peacekeeping

The Liberal government is telling the United Nations that Canada is ready to provide money and, more importantly, troops for peacekeeping missions around the world. Up to 600 Canadian soldiers — including engineers and medical units — are being committed to future peacekeeping operations, as well as equipment such as helicopters and planes, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion said Friday. “It is time for Canada to choose engagement over isolation,” Dion told a news conference in Saguenay, Que., where Liberal MPs are taking part in a two-day caucus retreat. The additional soldiers represent a dramatic increase over the 19 Canadian troops deployed on peacekeeping missions at the end of July.