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Tuesday November 17, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday November 17, 2015 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 ind

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.

Tuesday October 7, 2014The 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.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Monday November 16, 2015 Paris attacks: World must avoid revenge and cosmetic measures While we are in shock and grief about the carnage in Paris, Islamic State terrorists and their sympathisers are celebrating the death of innocent people. It is a terrorist act not only on France but on humanity, and those who are behind it have no right to exist in the civilised world. The horrific attacks on different locations in Paris must have been meticulously planned for some time to cause maximum death and terror among innocent civilians. It was a highly sophisticated operation and needed lots of coordination and intelligence inputs by a strong organisation that could get its sleeper cells active whenever it ordered. It is a condemnable terrorist act carried out by terrorists who have no respect for human life. It came after the US announced the targeting of ÒJihadi JohnÓ in Raqqa, the IS headquarters in Syria. It also comes after suicide bomb attacks in Beirut that left more than 300 people of different faith and nationalities dead and injured. It also brought back memories of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai when terrorists came to kill and die. It is chillingly similar to the Beslan school siege of 2004 in Russia and the London underground and Madrid train murders to name a few. It is a replica of the attack and counter-attack pattern which leads to more provocative measures while these terrorists and perpetrators get off scot-free. We are aware terrorists know no boundary, religion or nationality. They are merely criminals driven by their own ideology, which was taught to them in the caves of Tora Bora and other terrorist safe havens. The Syrian refugees in Europe draw attention to the magnitude of the humanitarian catastrophe faced by Syrians for the past four-and-a-half years. Homes uprooted, people decapitated, kids taken into training camps, girls enslaved and raped. They did not even spare our heritage. When Europe open

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)

 

Monday July 19, 2010

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday July 19, 2010

Peter MacKay Rejects Criticism of F-35 Jet

Canada’s defense minister rejected suggestions on Friday that the F-35 fighter jet was unnecessarily sophisticated and costly for the country’s relatively small air force.

After confirming that Canada will spend about 9 billion Canadian dollars, or $8.7 billion, to buy 65 F-35s from Lockheed Martin and to cover deployment costs, Peter MacKay said that the Conservative government would not compromise on military equipment.

“This aircraft is the best that we can provide our men and women in uniform and this government is committed to giving them the very best,” Mr. MacKay told a news conference while standing in front of a full-size model of the fighter jet.

The announcement of a multibillion-dollar commitment by the Canadian government should bolster a program that has been plagued with delays and substantial price increases.

Even before the announcement, the purchase had become the source of political controversy. Aside from its cost, which may reach 16 billion Canadian dollars once maintenance and parts contracts are signed, opposition politicians are angry about the lack of a competitive tender process.

On Thursday, the Liberal Party said that it would oppose the purchase. An alliance of opposition parties could stall or block the deal.

“I’m not suggesting that this may not be the best fighter aircraft for the Canadian forces,” said Ujjal Dosanjh, a Liberal member of Parliament responsible for military issues. “But we don’t know that without going through a process.” (The New York Times)