Operation PRESENCE Extended until 2026

Image: Members of the CH-147 Chinook medical team practice exiting the helicopter under the watchful eye of the force protection team in support of Operation PRESENCE - Mali around Gao, Mali, 2018 Credit: MCpl Jennifer Kusche, CAF

Canada has extended Operation PRESENCE (Op PRESENCE) until March 31, 2026.

Through Operation PRESENCE, the Canadian Armed Forces provide high-value military capabilities to United Nations peacekeeping missions. This operation is part of Canada’s United Nations (UN) peace operations strategy.

The Canadian Armed Forces’ ongoing contributions to the United Nations under Operation PRESENCE include:

• The deployment of Canadian Armed Forces military personnel to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali;

• The deployment of Canadian Armed Forces personnel to Training Development Assessment Teams (TDAT), which provide technical assistance and training support to our peacekeeping partners;

• A Tactical Airlift Detachment, which is periodically deployed under Op PRESENCE to assist with the transportation of personnel and equipment to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and

• Canadian Armed Forces training support under the Elsie initiative, which is an international initiative to help increase meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations.

Canada has always been a strong supporter of United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world.

The extension of Op PRESENCE to March 31, 2026 demonstrates Canada’s continued contribution to global peace and security, as well as support to UN peacekeeping, for years to come.

“As Canadians, the values of the United Nations are a core part of our identity. That is why our Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations for decades. Through our extension of Operation PRESENCE, Canada is demonstrating its continued commitment to the United Nations, and its efforts to advance peace, stability, and security.” The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Canada has a long history of financial, operational and policy support to UN peacekeeping operations.

• Canada is a leader on women’s participation in peace operations, on addressing the issue of child soldiers, and on the training of peacekeepers.

• Under Op PRESENCE, Canada’s contributions have included:

• Deploying and employing an Air Task Force in support of MINUSMA as part of Operation PRESENCE – Mali;

• Deploying staff officers to the UN Peace Support Mission in Mali;

• Providing tactical airlift support to UN peacekeeping operations in Africa;

• Leading training support to peace operations to assist the UN’s Engagement Platoon Initiative;

• Contributing technical expertise to the development of the United Nations infantry battalion training program which provides the requisite guidance to tactical level leaders to execute their duties often in dangerous and austere environments; and,

• Providing training support to Ghana under the Elsie initiative to contribute to Ghana’s ongoing efforts to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peace operations.