Secure shipping lanes are particularly im-
portant; about 90 per cent of the goods
that come into the country come by water.
This was one of the reasons why NATO
supported anti-piracy activities off the
Horn of Africa and Canada participated by
sending frigates and surveillance planes.
“Canadians’ personal prosperity and well-
being depend on having stable and secure
trading environments across the world,”
Lindhout said.
Canada has secured the spotlight on the in-
ternational stage in other ways too. It was
one of the first countries to have women
in combat roles and women are now grad-
ually rising to higher levels within the com-
mand structure of the Armed Forces. “It
puts a focus on the fact that when women
are heavily involved in the peace process
you get a different dynamic at work and
you get a different dynamic within the
population,” Lindhout said, pointing to the
impact of mothers on children in conflict
countries; they influence or change chil-
dren’s attitudes about conflict more great-
ly than men. They can also bring in other
points of view in peace discussions, Lind-
hout added.
natoassociation.ca
“Canadians’ personal prosperity and well-being depend on having stable and
secure trading environments across the world.” Julie Lindhout, president
President Julie Lindhout (centre) posing with Director Katherine Langley-Hope (right).
SEPTEMBER 2016
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