Canada’s role in the global fight against ISIS has involved a successful air combat role in Iraq and Syria eliminating many ISIS fighting positions, equipment and vehicles and factories used for the construction of improvised explosive devices as well as their storage facilities.
Without explanation, the Liberal government is putting an end to our contribution to coalition bombing, withdrawing Canadian C-F18s in a matter of weeks.
While abandoning our air mission may be based on fulfilling a Liberal campaign promise, this decision comes at a time when most Canadians want Canada to continue our combat mission against ISIS. In fact, the majority of Canadians believe that pulling our fighter jets will damage Canada’s global reputation, according to a recent Angus Reid poll.
Withdrawing from the combat mission against ISIS is a step backward for Canada. Our country has a long history of fighting for human rights and international security.
Only days ago I was reminded of this as I delivered the eulogy for a Canadian hero who fought with the Calgary Highlanders in the Second World War. His story, having served as an infantry machine gunner in Oldenburg on VE Day in 1945 and returning home to build his life in the town of Cochrane, is but one of many that have helped to shape our country’s record of defending innocent and vulnerable populations by taking on those who commit mass atrocities.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies to stop ISIS, its enslavement of women and children, its barbaric treatment of gay and lesbians, is more critical than ever to keep people safe.
Canada has been a key ally in the air-combat effort – our jets are a top five contributor to anti-ISIS airstrikes. The Conservative Party strongly believes Canada has the capacity to continue to contribute to airstrikes alongside training and humanitarian support. Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been doing so effectively for nearly a year.
This is a just fight and we can’t step back now and expect our allies to do our work for us.
