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After two days of debate and opposition at home, the Canadian Parliament adopted the Conservative government’s motion to join airstrikes in Iraq, committing Canada to a more robust role in the fight against the Islamic State, the group known as ISIS or ISIL.
The motion passed 157 to 134, which will see Canada contribute six CF-18 fighter jets, as well as three other support aircraft, and around 600 personnel over six months.
NDP leader Tom Mulcair earlier proposed an amendment to change the motion from a direct combat engagement to supplying arms to local forces and boosting humanitarian aid was defeated 157 to 134.
Mulcair accused the conservatives of “plunging” Canada into a war without a plan to help the victims of IS.
“They have also opened the door to Canadian involvement in Syria’s bloody civil war,” Mulcair said.
“It is impossible to have confidence in the judgment of a prime minister who sends Canada into an unclear mission for an unspecified period, in an undefined area, with uncertain utility,” he said.
Meanwhile Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said while his party is at odds with the government on confronting IS, it will support Canada’s serving men and women.
“The members of the Canadian Armed Forces who will now go into harm’s way have our full and unwavering support,” Trudeau said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the motion saying that defeating IS is vital for Canadian security.
“It is imperative that we act with our allies to halt ISIL’s spread in the region and reduce its capacity to launch terrorist attacks outside the region, including against Canada,” Harper said.
“We do not take this step lightly. The threat posed by ISIL is real. If left unchecked this terrorist organization will grow and grow quickly,” he said.
Canada is the thirteenth country to join the US-led air coalition, out of sixty-two countries that are providing, or have have pledged support to counter the Islamic State.
Agencies/Canadajournal
