On November 30, 2011 Bill C-373 — the Department of Peace Act — passed first reading in the House of Commons. Moved by NDP MP Alex Atamanenko and seconded by Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, the bill outlines the roadmap for a new ministry that would serve as the federal government’s central coordinating agency for strategic peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding activities.
Headed by a cabinet-level minister, this department would develop and advance an agenda for sustainable peace across all government departments. As mapped out in the legislation, the ministry would consist of five unique branches, one of which would house a Civilian Peace Service.