“Our new approach to Iraq, Syria, and the surrounding region will be challenging and risky at times”, Trudeau said, flanked by three cabinet ministers at the National Press Theatre on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
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There’s been no sign, however, that the Prime Minister will back down from his campaign pledge to pull Canada’s six CF-18 fighter jets from the American-led coalition bombing efforts against ISIS.
The previous Conservative government dispatched the small team of military trainers to northern Iraq in September, 2014.
Mr. Trudeau once said that Canada could play a more significant role in strengthening efforts to train Iraqi troops fighting the jihadist group.
That, in order to provide more assistance in the training and planning of Iraqi security forces. That includes $840 million to provide water, shelter health care, hygiene and sanitation, and $270 million to build capacity in those countries helping refugees from the region. One refueling aircraft and “up to two” surveillance planes will remain active, the government said.
Canada has already committed $650 million in humanitarian aid for people affected by the Syrian civil war and $233 million for longer-term development.
Trudeau’s announcement comes days before Sajjan is due to leave for Brussels for a meeting with his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation counterparts on February 10-11.
Trudeau said the Liberals would withdraw Canada’s fighter jets from the air campaign against ISIL and has not backed down despite calls from the opposition to rethink his decision.
Sajjan said there are meetings being held constantly around the world to discuss threats.
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The CF-18s, as promised by the Liberals, will be withdrawn.
