Harper describes expanded ISIL war motion, seeking airstrikes in Iraq and Syria
Posted Mar 24, 2015 7:50 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is proposing to expand and extend Canada’s war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to include airstrikes on extremist positions in Syria.
In a statement today in the House of Commons, Harper says the terrorist group’s power base, heavy military equipment and capital is located across the border from northern Iraq.
The new government motion detailing that proposed expansion also seeks Parliament’s blessing to extend the mission “to a date not beyond March 30, 2016.”
The motion is to be introduced later today by Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson.
Harper says ISIL’s hold on territory remains “substantial” and that it remains “far from an idle threat,” as illustrated by attacks in Canada and elsewhere in the world.
The motion, to eventually be voted on by members of Parliament, will be debated beginning on Thursday. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair responded to Harper’s statement by reaffirming that his party would vote against the motion.
Harper says Canadians did not invite the threat of “jihadi terrorism” but understand the importance of confronting it.
