HMCS Winnipeg supports UN conference

Marine Technicians Leading Seaman Nathan Gillis and Master Seaman Martin Couture describe the fire fighting equipment used on board HMCS Winnipeg to a delegate attending the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministers conference during their tour of the ship while alongside Canada Place, Vancouver. Photo by LS Ogle Henry, MARPAC Imaging Services

Lt(N) Ellie Aminaie, HMCS Winnipeg ~

Last week, HMCS Winnipeg was in Vancouver, B.C., in support of the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministers’ (UNPKDM) Conference.

The conference was held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and had United Nations delegations from 80-plus countries and five international organizations in attendance, with gender initiatives as a focal point.

It was a highly coordinated event organized by the Department of National Defence, with key representation from all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) elements. The CAF element was led by Joint Task Force Pacific on behalf of Canadian Joint Operations Command.  Security was managed by the RCMP.

The conference had many high profile Canadians in attendance including  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence; Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and la francophonie; and Madame Michaelle Jean, Secretary General of la francophonie.

Also in attendance were General Jonathan Vance, Chief of Defence Staff, and LGen (Retired) Romeo Dallaire, who was there for a youth focused event.

Actress Angelina Jolie, who is a Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, delivered the keynote address.

During the welcome reception held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Winnipeg’s Guard of Honour was on parade, showcasing the Royal Canadian Navy.

While alongside Canada Place, Winnipeg provided a hosting platform for various events throughout the conference. One notable one was a luncheon held on board, co-hosted by Minister Bibeau, and His Excellency Marc-Andre Blanchard, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN. Guests discussed various gender initiatives made in their respective nations and the event provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas in furthering those initiatives.

Lt(N) Calley Gray, Winnipeg’s Marine Systems Engineering Officer, represented the Royal Canadian Navy at the luncheon.

“I was very honoured to be included in the discussions surrounding gender initiatives and to have an opportunity to provide input into the matter. My overall impression is that the delegates were pleased by the efforts made by the RCN through Operation Honour and GBA+ (Gender-Based Analysis) training, and that we have gender focal points onboard the ships with the proper training advising command on gender matters,” she said.

Ship tours were offered to all UN delegates throughout the conference, many of whom took advantage of the opportunity to meet the sailors. The UN Youth Network, which was comprised of 150 members ranging in age from 18 to 29, also received a comprehensive tour. They asked engaging and insightful questions ranging from marine mammal protection to Asia Pacific security.

As Winnipeg departed Canada Place and proceeded back to Esquimalt, the crew reflected on their encounters with various UN delegates. While the event was a coordinated effort by various Canadian agencies overall, the entire ship’s company was also fully engaged and contributed to its success.