Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces 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 the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Ottawa, Ontario - 24 March 2015
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 the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), with the goal of significantly degrading the capabilities of ISIL.
The motion, sponsored by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be debated and voted on in the House of Commons. The Canadian military mission, known as Operation IMPACT, is part of the United States-led international Coalition against ISIL, composed of over 60 countries.
Operation IMPACT would be extended for up to 12 months, until March 30, 2016. Its mandate would be expanded to authorize Canada’s CF-188 Hornet fighters to join Coalition partners in attacking ISIL targets within Syrian territory.
Coalition military efforts to date have succeeded in blunting ISIL’s capacity to advance in Iraq and Syria but much remains to be done. The Government is seeking to extend Operation IMPACT given that ISIL continues to present a serious threat to global and regional security, including by directly threatening Canadian citizens at home and abroad. Canada also remains committed to protecting and assisting vulnerable and innocent civilians affected by ISIL’s expansion and barbarity, including through the provision of vital humanitarian assistance.
As in the past, Operation IMPACT would remain a counter-terrorism operation exclusively targeting ISIL. Canada will not be participating in ground combat operations.
In the days to come, the Government will continue to update Canadians on the Canadian Armed Forces engagement against ISIL through technical briefings, websites and social media.
