Defence minister looking at options for mission in Iraq
Minister won’t rush ‘to make this into a politically expedient decision’
Canada’s new defence minister says the government will not be rushed into its commitment for training troops in Iraq but will instead ensure that whatever personnel are provided will have a positive effect on the battlefield.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed the government’s decision to withdraw CF-18 fighter jets from the bombing campaign against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.
In its place, the Canadian military will provide additional troops to train Iraqi security forces, but Trudeau hasn’t yet provided details.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told the Citizen Wednesday that he is still working on options for the government.
“We want to make sure we look at the entire situation,” he said. “(That we) look at the different factors, and make sure that the options we do end up deciding on are going to have a meaningful contribution.”
But Sajjan is not putting a timeline on when those options will be ready. He wants to consult with allies and commanders on the ground.
“I don’t want to make this into a politically expedient decision,” he said. “I can’t give a timeline. “Right now, let’s put it this way: the planning process is going extremely well.”
The Canadian Forces currently have around 69 special forces personnel in northern Iraq training Kurdish troops.
That task force has been drawn from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment from Petawawa and the Joint Task Force 2 counterterrorism unit from Ottawa.
Sajjan said he has asked questions about whether more special forces should be sent.
“Special forces have a unique role, but we have to look at the entire Canadian military and what we have,” he added.
Sajjan was named defence minister on Nov. 4 but is still being briefed on the various files he must deal with.
An ex-soldier, he has received numerous decorations for his work as an intelligence officer during three tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Trudeau has said that Canada will withdraw from the coalition air campaign before March.
Canada has six CF-18 fighter jets there, as well as various other aircraft and around 600 personnel.
That withdrawal will be co-ordinated closely with Canada’s allies, Sajjan said.
But Trudeau has also warned Canadians that the mission to Iraq involving the training of troops will be a long one.
While he didn’t provide specific details, he noted that Canada wants to be a “strong and positive contributor to the continuing mission against ISIL.”
Sajjan said he also wants to ensure military personnel and their families are well looked after, another Liberal election promise. But he stopped short of outlining other priorities.
“I’m not going to create any priorities right now,” he explained. “It’s far too early.
“It would be irresponsible of me to say that here are my priorities. I want to make sure I get all the facts.”
Sajjan emphasized he has great trust in the support he will receive not only from the Canadian Forces leadership but from Department of National Defence employees.
A similar message about the value of public servants is also being touted by other ministers.
On Tuesday, Judy Foote, minister of Public Services and Procurement, emphasized at an aerospace industry conference the importance the government is placing on advice that will come from public servants.
That is a change from the Conservative government, which critics complained not only tightly controlled bureaucrats but also dismissed their advice.
“We are going to work in co-operation,” Sajjan said.
“That’s my staff. I have the utmost confidence in them, and we’re going to work as a team.”