Thank you for that question. It is very timely, and I know that you have done a great deal of work on this committee, and in previous committees, on the subject of terrorism and military involvement in this global effort.
The recent events in Toronto and Mississauga, first of all, exemplify the fact that Canada is not immune from the type of attacks that we've seen both in New York and Madrid and in countries that are similarly engaged in the effort internationally. And more to the point, it demonstrates that those who take part in terrorism and extremism and violence, I don't believe, differentiate between countries and international borders. I think they have a distinct disdain for countries that practise open societies and that are involved in what I would describe as democratic, peace-loving capacity building within their own countries and elsewhere.
So the linkage is not with current missions; the linkage is with what we share as Canadian values, what we consider to be important human rights: equality, respect for the rule of law, and the fact that Canada is a country that welcomes people from all corners of the earth. That, I think, is our most attractive feature, but it also makes us vulnerable because of the openness of our society.
What I would also share, as I'm sure you are aware as members of this committee, is the incredible work that was done by our security forces in preventing such an attack. It is laudable that we are able to act decisively through peaceful means, and forcefully at times, to prevent an attack on innocent people in our own country. I think the communities themselves have been very forthright in applauding the efforts that took place just a few days ago in prevention of an attack and in the protection of Canadian citizens.