‘It has conducted a campaign of unspeakable atrocities. Unless confronted with st rong and direct force, the threat will continue to grow.’
Canada sending jets to fight ISIS in Iraq.
That this House (i) recognise that the leadership of the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has called on its members to target Canada and Canadians at home and abroad; (ii) further recognise the clear and direct threat that ISIL poses to the people of the region, including members of vulnerable religious and ethnic minority groups who have been subjected to a sustained campaign of brutal sexual violence, murder, and barbaric intimidation by ISIL; (iii) accept that, unless confronted with strong and direct force, the threat ISIL poses to international peace and security, including to Canadian communities, will continue to grow; (v) affirm Canada’s desire, consistent with Canadian values and interests, to protect the vulnerable and innocent civilians of the region, including through urgent humanitarian assistance; (v) acknowledge the request from the Government of Iraq for military support against ISIL from members of the international community, including from the Government of Canada; (vi) further acknowledge the participation of Canada’s friends and allies, including numerous countries of the Middle East, in the broad international coalition committed to the fight against ISIL; and (vii) note that the United Nations Security Council has become seized of the threat posed by international terrorism with the unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, and, accordingly, (a) support the Government’s decision to contribute Canadian military assets to the fight against ISIL, and terrorists allied with ISIL, including air strike capability for a period of up to six months; (b) note that the Government of Canada will not deploy troops in ground combat operations; and (c) continue to offer its resolute and wholehearted support to the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who stand on guard for all of us.
The PM insists this mission will not be allowed to become a quagmire, but is that not precisely what our American allies have been facing in Iraq for 10 years?
— Tom Mulcair ‘Liberals believe Canada can make a more helpful contribution than aging war planes. There are significant, substantial, non-combat roles that Canada can play.
— Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a combat mission against ISIS for Canada in Iraq on Friday. Here are 10 things you need to know:
1 Mr. Harper says Canada’s military will “significantly degrade” the capabilities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham. Experts say air attacks will help prevent ISIS forces from massing for attacks on the Iraqi army and Kurdish troops. John Allen, the retired U.S. general co-ordinating the international campaign against the terror group, has suggested ISIS will be defeated when the Iraqi tribes supporting it turn against it.
2 Under the government motion to be debated Monday, MPs are asked to support the government’s decision “to contribute Canadian military assets to the fight against ISIL, and terrorists allied with ISIL, including air strike capability for a period of up to six months.” The motion also says Canada “will not deploy troops in ground combat operations.”
The threat posed by ISIL is real. And it is explicitly directed, in part, against this country. Left unchecked, this terrorist threat can only grow and grow quickly.’
— Stephen Harper
3 More than 600 members of t he Canadian military will be deployed. That number came not from Mr. Harper but from federal officials later. “He was trying to underplay how big this is,’’ said NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar. ‘‘Not sharing the information in his speech shows he was trying to cover up on the details and not share with Canadians what the actual plans are.”
4 Both the New Democrats and Liberals have rejected Mr. Harper’s rationale for combat and said they will oppose the government’s plan. The motion is assured of passage because the Conservatives have a majority.
5 The risks to Canadian personnel is believed to be low. While ISIS is thought to have portable surface-to-air missile systems, there have been no reports of them being fired. Military analysts believe the risk to CF-18 and other pilots is low because of coalition tactical ability and anti-missile systems on the aircraft.
6 In addition to the air war, Canada has extended the deployment of 26 Canadian special forces in northern Iraq. Canada has also committed $28-million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq (and for Syrian refugees) this year. Another $5-million will be spent to limit the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria. Canada will provide $10-million for helmets, body armour and logistics support vehicles for Iraqi and Kurdish forces.
7 It is not clear how much the mission will cost. The Department of National Defence has provided estimates to the Conservative government but these aren’t public. CF-18s cost $16,750 per hour to operate, including fuel and aircraft maintenance. The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) dropped by CF-18s during the Libya war cost around $25,000 each.
8 Canada is joining the United States, France, Britain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar in attacks. Australia and the Netherlands will also contribute. Iran, in conjunction with Iraqi forces, is conducting its own air and ground campaign against ISIS.
9 Despite the weighty subject matter, Mr. Harper spoke to a Commons that was only half-full — not an uncommon occurrence for a Friday. The government doesn’t require the consent of Parliament to send troops into battle anyway; that power rests with the Crown, acting on the advice of the government.
10 Debate wil l begin at noon on Monday with a speech from Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. The length of debate and the time of the vote have not been determined. Conservative cabinet ministers will make the government’s case, though it wasn’t known if Mr. Harper would speak. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair will lead off for the Official Opposition.