AREQUIPA, PERU – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence, met with his American counterpart, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel today at the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Nicholson for Canada’s expanded military contribution in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL.
“I had a very productive meeting with Secretary Hagel which afforded us the opportunity to discuss the ongoing coalition efforts in the fight against ISIL,” said Minister Nicholson. “Canada remains very concerned with the rising presence of ISIL throughout the Middle East and the direct threat of terrorism at home and abroad. Our Government has a duty to protect Canadians and to stand firm with our allies in opposition to the unspeakable atrocities being carried out by ISIL against innocent children, women and men. This meeting was important in discussing these concerns and to discuss the ongoing contributions of the Canadian Armed Forces to coalition efforts. ”
This bilateral meeting took place during the eleventh biennial Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA), which brings together defence ministers and senior defence officials from the Americas.
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Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Office of the Minister of the Department of National Defence
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Department of National Defence
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