Ottawa, Ontario - 24 March 2015
Rationale – Extending and Expanding Operation IMPACT
The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues to present a serious threat to regional and global security, including a direct threat to Canadian citizens at home and abroad.
ISIL’s barbaric actions in the territories it controls in Iraq and Syria have resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. It continues to target members of ethnic and religious communities, and has callously destroyed places of worship and irreplaceable archaeological sites.
Recent terrorist attacks in Canada, Australia, France and Denmark by radicalized individuals inspired by or suspected of having links to ISIL as well as thousands of foreign fighters from a broad range of countries – including Canada and its allies – flocking to ISIL, are cause for serious concern.
Motion in Parliament
To counter these threats, Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the Government’s intent to bring forward a motion in the House of Commons seeking support for the Government’s decision to extend and expand Canada’s military contribution to the global fight against ISIL, with the goal of significantly degrading the capabilities of ISIL. The Canadian military mission, known as Operation IMPACT, is part of the United States-led international Coalition against ISIL, composed of over 60 countries.
The motion will be debated and voted on in the House of Commons.
About Operation IMPACT
Operation IMPACT is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) support to the Middle East Stabilization Force – the military component of the international Coalition against ISIL.
The mission would be extended for up to 12 months (until March 30, 2016). Its expanded mandate would include undertaking air strikes, along with Coalition partners, attacking ISIL targets within Syrian territory.
Canada’s current military contribution to the global fight against ISIL, which would be extended for up to 12 months, includes: up to 69 Canadian Special Operations Forces personnel to advise and assist Iraqi forces in northern Iraq; a key aerial enabler force package consisting of approximately 280 aircrew and other personnel; one CC-150 Polaris aerial refueling aircraft, up to two CP-140 Aurora aerial surveillance aircraft as required; and, a strike force package consisting of approximately 320 aircrew and other personnel and up to six CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft.
As in the past, Operation IMPACT would remain a counter-terrorism operation exclusively targeting ISIL. Canada will not be participating in ground combat operations.
Accomplishments of Operation IMPACT to date
The CAF have already accomplished much within the international Coalition.
As of March 21, 2015, Canadian air assets have conducted 656 sorties over Iraq:
- CF-188 Hornet fighters conducted 428 sorties.
- CC-150T Polaris aerial refueller conducted 108 sorties, delivering some 6,332,000 pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft.
- CP-140 Aurora aircraft conducted 120 reconnaissance missions.
- Canadian CF-188 Hornet fighters have undertaken 53 of the Coalition’s 1,631 air strikes over Iraq.
- Up to 69 members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces are working with our allies in an advisory and assistance role by providing strategic and tactical advice to Iraqi forces.
Canadian humanitarian and development assistance to alleviate the suffering being caused by ISIL
Canada continues to provide humanitarian support in Iraq to help alleviate the suffering caused by ISIL. To date, Canada has provided $67.4 million in humanitarian assistance to United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organizations. Canadian assistance has contributed to the efforts of our humanitarian partners to provide:
- Food to 1.7 million people;
- Shelter and relief supplies (such as hygiene kits, cooking materials and blankets) to 1.26 million people; and,
- Improved access to education opportunities for up to 500,000 children.
Canada’s contribution includes $8 million to UNICEF, which has allowed us to play a leading role in launching the “No Lost Generation” initiative in Iraq. This initiative is providing education and protection assistance for up to 150,000 conflict-affected children.
Canada’s assistance is also supporting organizations that respond to incidents of sexual and gender-based violence by providing psycho-social support and other services for up to 35,000 women and girls.
In 2014, Canada also identified Iraq as a development partner country that will receive bilateral assistance to meet its development objectives and build resilience to withstand conflict. Canada is working to deliver new development assistance programming in Iraq to address both short-term needs and to support stability and prosperity in Iraq over the long-term through resiliency-building, and inclusive governance and decentralized decision-making.
