OTTAWA — Stephen Harper ramped up the anti-terror talk Monday, defending Canada's role in the fight against insurgents in the Middle East and slamming his two main rivals for what he considers their misguided opposition to military action.
With the trial of disgraced senator Mike Duffy set to make its dramatic return to the political stage this week, the Conservative leader is escalating the rhetoric as he depicts his party as the only one capable of keeping Canadians safe.
Harper strongly defended the use of Canadian warplanes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant — also known as ISIL and ISIS — as he promised Canada would take in more refugees from the region over the next several years.
Offering safe haven to refugees is not enough, the prime minister said during a campaign stop in Markham, Ont.
"ISIS, left to its own devices, will create millions, tens of millions of refugees and victims on a monthly basis," he said.
"That's why the international community intervened ... President Obama and our allies felt we had no choice. We were witnessing mass slaughter at an alarming, lightning pace that was sweeping across the region."
Harper brushed off the criticisms of NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who reject military action and have urged that Canada stick to providing humanitarian aid.
"If your policy is humanitarian assistance without military support, all you're doing is dropping aid on dead people," Harper said.
" That's not acceptable. We're a country that can contribute militarily and in a humanitarian sense, and we are doing both."
Harper says a re-elected Conservative government would bring in 10,000 additional religious minority refugees from Syria and Iraq, targeting refugees in the region who face persecution or the threat of extremist violence.
On Sunday, the prime minister raised eyebrows with a promise to ban travel to regions controlled by terror groups, saying such travel is "not a human right"— a comment he repeated Monday.
MORE National ARTICLES
Trial Dates To Be Set In November For Pair Accused Of Alleged Mall Shooting Plot
HALIFAX — Two young people accused of plotting to shoot shoppers at a Halifax mall made a brief court appearance today for a pre-trial hearing.
Trial Dates To Be Set In November For Pair Accused Of Alleged Mall Shooting Plot
Activists Squealing About Quebec Pig Contest, Say It Abuses Animals
Animal-rights groups are squealing about an annual contest in a small Quebec town that features participants trying to grab greased pigs
Activists Squealing About Quebec Pig Contest, Say It Abuses Animals
Globe-Trotting HitchBot Returning To Canada For Possible Rebuild
The hitchhiking robot that became a social media darling as it documented its travels throughout the world likely hasn't taken its last ride, its co-creators said Wednesday.
Globe-Trotting HitchBot Returning To Canada For Possible Rebuild
MADD P.E.I. Chapter President Resigns After Impaired Driving Charges
The president of a Prince Edward Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada has resigned after being charged with impaired driving, the organization's CEO said Wednesday.
MADD P.E.I. Chapter President Resigns After Impaired Driving Charges
Surrey Youth Soccer Club Suspended Over Allegations Of Financial Irregularities
Outgoing club head Garry Sangha says the move boils down to other clubs vying for access to the area's up-and-coming players and their registration dollars.
Surrey Youth Soccer Club Suspended Over Allegations Of Financial Irregularities
Police Say Suspects May Have Been Burned While Setting Surrey House On Fire
Police believe there's a connection between a house fire and a vehicle blaze half a block away in a Surrey, B.C., neighbourhood