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Justin Trudeau says Canada will 'do its part' in anti-ISIS coalition

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains committed to pulling Canadian warplanes from the bombing mission in Iraq and Syria, but says Canada will continue to "do its part" in the military fight against ISIS.

PM says Canada will refocus role in fighting 'terrorist scourge'

Trudeau says he has a mandate to bring CF-18s home from fight against ISIS

9 years ago
Duration 1:43
Trudeau speaks with reporters at the end of the G20 Summit in Turkey

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadawill "do its part" in the militaryfight against ISIS, but remains committed to withdrawing warplanes from the mission.

During a news conference at theG20 summit inAntalya, Turkey, Trudeau said Friday's attacks in Pariswill 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 theU.S.-led air combatmission.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon walk together at the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey. Trudeau says Canada will continue to play an active role in the fight against ISIS. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

"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 [ISIS]," he said, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq andSyria. "That's the commitment we made very clearly throughout the campaign and we have a mandate to do that."

Trudeau said he was not directly asked to reconsider the withdrawal of CF-18s at the summit. But U.S. President BarackObama did call for more help, stressing that intensified coalition air power coupled with Iraqi forces on the groundhas succeeded in takingout key targets and pushing back ISIS militants.

"I made the point to my fellow leaders that if we want this progress to be sustained, more nations need to step up with the resources that this fight demands," Obama said during a press conference inTurkey.

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.

Backing out sends 'wrong message,' Ambrose says

Interim Conservative Party Leader RonaAmbrose said Canada should be standing resolutely with allies in the wake of the Paris attacks. In an interview on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, she said Canada'scontribution of fighter jets to the coalition is important in both practical and symbolic ways.

"I think that we've been asked to play this role, and backing out of it now, particularly at this juncture when all the G20 leaders are talking about, if anything, expanding their role in the coalition against ISIS, would be the wrong message to send," she told host Rosemary Barton.

The G20 leaders released a joint statement at theG20summit, calling the attacks in Paris "an unacceptable affront to all humanity" and reaffirming solidarity in the fight against terrorism as a major priority.

The statementsayscounterterror actions must be part of a comprehensive approach that includes fightingradicalization 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 to work proactively to prevent violent extremism and support civil society in engaging youth and promoting inclusion of all members of society."

Other nations to step up anti-ISIS fight

In the wake of the Paris attacks Friday, other nations have talked of stepping up the fight against ISIS.

On Sunday,Obamaspoke of redoubling his country's efforts. The Americans are leading the international coalition's efforts, andObamais scheduled to have a sit-down meeting withTrudeauat theAPECsummit in the Philippines on Thursday.

Trudeau's office said he also spoke Sunday about Canadian efforts to:

  • Combat terrorist financing.
  • Prevent violent extremism.
  • Increase co-operation with security and intelligence agencies to stop foreign fighters.