This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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The Liberals and New Democrats have straightforwardly refused to support Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s plan to extend and expand Canada’s military mission against Islamic State extremists. According to Mr. Harper’s speech in the Commons on Tuesday morning, he announced that his government intends to extend the ongoing mission in Iraq for another year and include airstrikes by CF-18 fighters to Syria.
Harper explained that though the coalition of countries battling the militant group ISIS has helped contain their expansion in both Iraq and Syria, the group’s “territorial hold remains substantial, and its leadership and networking of wider jihadist forces has continued.” He revealed the government’s plan to extend the mission for up to another year, i.e. up till March 30, 2016, and expand the mandate of the fighter jets. Having said that, Harper clarified that the current noncombat mission by Canadians troops in northern Iraq training local fighters will continue as well. He alleged that “our objectives remain the same: we intend to continue to degrade the capabilities of ISIL.”
In his remarks, PM Harper stressed that the extremist group is a real threat to international security, including Canada, while referring to last fall’s attacks on Canadian soil. He alleged that “ISIL has made it clear that it targets, by name, Canada and Canadians,” adding it is “far from an idle threat.” However, Harper’s arguments failed to win over the NDP or Liberals, who rejected the mission last fall and made clear they will do so again when the extension comes up for a vote.
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