From the larger perspective of what we're watching here, there are areas within which as a military we are able to operate to conduct military operations. There are areas in which other government officials have been able to move people in to be able to do their business. I'm confident that IRCC will be able to speak to what their specific plans are and how they will secure what they need to do and what they intend to do, but I would caution the committee that nothing in this region is safe. There are major security risks throughout the region, and even with the best efforts to secure what is going on there, including by people who are armed and participating in the conflict, bad things happen every day. There are areas that are more secure one moment, but that can change very quickly. Even with the fall of Daesh, we will see an ongoing terrorist activity across this region.
On November 22nd, 2016. See this statement in context.