The Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 was given to United Nations peacekeepers, which included some of the Canadian soldiers. This motivated the establishment of the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal aimed at recognizing Canadians, both ex- and serving Canadian Forces members, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police members as well as other law enforcement services, as well as members of public contributing to peace on various operations . .
Peacekeeping for the Canadian forces has been a cause of professional development. In Canada, the idea that our soldiers, airmen and sailors are generally doing well in an international arena is liked. The government of Canada has also viewed it as the employment of choice for the forces in the country. More that 125,000 soldiers from Canada have served in United Nations peacekeeping missions beginning from 1947. This makes up over 10% of the United Nations total. The government of Canada has continued to acknowledge such services by its soldiers. The Department of National Defence, for instance, gives special medals, in addition to those given for particular missions, to the soldiers from deployment . .
Besides the development of professionalism within the forces, peacekeeping operations by the Canadian military have played a key role in the development of a global image for the country . Before the role of Canada in the Suez Crisis, the country was seen by different players in the global arena as inconsequential in international matters. The successful role the country played in the conflict rendered it credibility as well as set it apart as a country out to fight for the shared interest of all countries . Since the creation of the United Nations, Canada has always participated in the peacekeeping operations . .
While the question of professionalism is undeniable in the course of peacekeeping, there is a but in the issue which becomes problematic. This is in terms of the cost for the country in terms of sending its forces for peacekeeping.