Tuesday November 17, 2015
By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 17, 2015
Justin Trudeau says Canada will ‘do its part’ in anti-ISIS coalition
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will “do its part” in the military fight against ISIS, but remains committed to withdrawing warplanes from the mission.
During a news conference at the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, Trudeau said Friday’s attacks in Paris will not prompt the government to reverse course on a plan to pull out Canada’s fighter jets.
Instead, Canada will step up training of local troops, he said.
“I know that Canada will continue to, and be seen to be continuing to, do its part in the fight against this terrorist scourge,” he said.
The Liberal platform during the campaign for the recent federal election committed to end the combat mission and “refocus” on training local forces in Iraq.
Trudeau said that commitment remains, but he has not set a timetable for when Canada will withdraw from the U.S.-led air combat mission.
“We made a clear commitment in the campaign to stop the bombing mission by Canadian jets and replace it with a role for Canada that is still a serious military role, but leaned more towards training of local troops to be able to bring the fight directly to ISIL,” he said, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “That’s the commitment we made very clearly throughout the campaign and we have a mandate to do that.”
On Sunday, two of Canada’s fighter jets were involved in a strike against an ISIS fighting position in Iraq, according to the Department of National Defence.
The G20 leaders released a joint statement at the G20 summit, calling the attacks in Paris “an unacceptable affront to all humanity” and reaffirming solidarity in the fight against terrorism as a major priority.
The statement says counterterror actions must be part of a comprehensive approach that includes fighting radicalization and recruitment, hampering terrorist movements and preventing terrorists from exploiting the internet.
“The direct or indirect encouragement of terrorism, the incitement of terrorist acts and glorification of violence must be prevented,” the statement reads. “We recognize the need at all levels Justin Trudeau says Canada will ‘do its part’ in anti-ISIS coalitionto work proactively to prevent violent extremism and support civil society in engaging youth and promoting inclusion of all members of society.” (Source: CBC News)