The Government of Canada strongly condemns the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Northern Iraq, including the killing of innocent civilians and the targeted persecution of religious minorities. The situation is tragic. 1.3 million people have been displaced by ongoing violence, an estimated 850,000 in the last two months alone, and many more are threatened. Canada is very concerned.

But there are no quick solutions to the tragic situation in Iraq. Our hope is that the crisis will eventually be replaced by lasting peace and security. Meanwhile, our government is discussing our country’s role. We are also working with our international partners and aid organizations. Together we must oppose the ISIL threat, and help to save lives in the region.

Canadian officials are monitoring the situation and assessing how to respond. We are responding to the humanitarian crisis by sending emergency relief supplies. Canada has established a stockpile of relief supplies in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which enables us to respond more quickly and efficiently to events in Africa and Asia. The dispatch of relief supplies to Iraq is the first time this new stockpile has been used. The stockpile, which also includes tents, blankets and kitchen and hygiene kits, is managed by the Canadian Red Cross.

Providing food, water and other essential supplies can mean the difference between life and death for people in desperate need. We have already allocated over $21 million to support both Syrian refugees and Iraqis affected by the ongoing violence.

In addition to providing supplies to those displaced by the violence, we also are providing medical supplies to health facilities and helping with emergency repairs to water and sanitation facilities.
Canada continues to work with organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Development and Peace, Save the Children Canada and Mercy Corps. The need for assistance is clear, and Canada is responding swiftly and generously.

Canada is also standing with our military allies against ISIL’s threat. As Prime Minister Harper stated on the opening day of Parliament’s fall session, “Canadians are rightly sickened by their savage slaughter of anyone who doesn’t share their twisted view of the world. We know their ideology is not the result of “social exclusion” or other so-called ‘root causes’ It is evil, vile, and must be unambiguously opposed. ”  

We will not drop our guard. We will continue to explore ways to oppose ISIL, with the goal of saving any lives it threatens, now and in the future, abroad or elsewhere.

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The audio version of Garry's September 22, 2014 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here.