Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada Won't Be Rushed Into Peacekeeping Mission: Harjit Sajjan

The Canadian Press, 13 Sep, 2017 12:02 PM
    OTTAWA — The Trudeau government will not be rushed into making a decision on where to send Canadian peacekeepers, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says.
     
    "When we send troops anywhere, we want to make sure that we're making a right decision," Sajjan said Wednesday in St. John's, N.L., where federal ministers are holding a cabinet retreat.
     
    "We want to have the right impact. This is a complex situation. When we have the appropriate information we'll make an announcement on that."
     
    The comments come as the clock ticks down to a major peacekeeping meeting in Vancouver in November that is only open to countries that have or are ready to pledge specific forces to UN missions.
     
    Sajjan's office would not commit to the government making a decision by the Nov. 14 Vancouver conference.
     
    Canada was given permission to host the meeting last year after the Trudeau government said it would make up to 600 troops available to various peacekeeping missions.
     
     
    Early signs pointed to Canada sending a large number of troops to Mali and trainers to various other African countries to help their militaries become better at peacekeeping.
     
    But the Liberals have instead waffled for over a year on where to deploy, sparking frustration and even anger from various allies and  the UN, who have been waiting for a decision.
     
    They say Canada's foot-dragging has hampered mission planning and left critical gaps in terms of personnel and equipment on the ground, especially in Mali.
     
    Multiple officials at the Defence Department have told The Canadian Press that the file has been taken out of the military's hands and now rests with Global Affairs Canada and the Prime Minister's Office.
     
    The government remains committed to peacekeeping, Sajjan said, but "this is a very complex mission, our re-engagement on peace support operations."
     
    The minister played down the impact of the government's indecision.
     
     
    "Our allies want us to make sure that we make a responsible decision," he said. "That when we contribute as a nation, a whole-of-government approach that we're actually going to have an impact on the ground."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Liberal Party Begins Process To Find New Leader In British Columbia

    Liberal Party Begins Process To Find New Leader In British Columbia
    The party executive has appointed a committee to develop the rules and procedures for a contest to replace Christy Clark, who stepped down last month after the Liberal government was defeated on a confidence motion following May's election. 

    Liberal Party Begins Process To Find New Leader In British Columbia

    Trudeau Takes Aim At 'Racist' Rallies, Urges Trust In Immigration System

    MONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians should maintain confidence in the immigration system even as thousands of asylum seekers continue to pour into the country.

    Trudeau Takes Aim At 'Racist' Rallies, Urges Trust In Immigration System

    Police Officer Takes Bus To Nab Distracted Drivers In New Brunswick

    Police Officer Takes Bus To Nab Distracted Drivers In New Brunswick
    Constable Duane Squires of Saint John police says the initiative was modelled after a similar one carried out by York Regional Police in Ontario.

    Police Officer Takes Bus To Nab Distracted Drivers In New Brunswick

    Parts Of Eastern Canada To Be In Direct Path Of Next Total Solar Eclipse In 2024

     For Canadians who had to watch television to view Monday's total solar eclipse, just wait until the next one in seven years when the path of totality crosses parts of central Canada, the Maritimes and Newfoundland.

    Parts Of Eastern Canada To Be In Direct Path Of Next Total Solar Eclipse In 2024

    PICS: Justin Trudeau, Irish PM Leo Varadkar March In Montreal Pride Parade

    PICS: Justin Trudeau, Irish PM Leo Varadkar March In Montreal Pride Parade
    Justin Trudeau marched with his Irish counterpart in Montreal's Pride parade on Sunday, marking the first time a foreign head of government has joined a prime minister in a Canadian Pride celebration.

    PICS: Justin Trudeau, Irish PM Leo Varadkar March In Montreal Pride Parade

    Federal Appointee To Race Relations Board Under Scrutiny For Writings On Islam

    Federal Appointee To Race Relations Board Under Scrutiny For Writings On Islam
    OTTAWA — A board member with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, an arms-length federal government agency with a mandate to combat racial discrimination, is in jeopardy of losing her post over her writings on the controversial website Jihad Watch.

    Federal Appointee To Race Relations Board Under Scrutiny For Writings On Islam