Mr. Speaker, hon. members, the government failed to consult Canadians, adopt a motion in the House, or show any accountability before it decided to withdraw our CF-18s from Iraq and Syria.
I spent 22 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Retreating shows a lack of leadership. Retreating means conceding defeat without a fight.
Canada must join the international coalition being formed to take down ISIS. Our country cannot shirk its responsibilities by simply providing training.
The Prime Minister cannot limit Canada's commitment in the fight against ISIS in Iraq to training: this is an armed conflict against ISIS. The Liberal approach is to keep a low profile, but this is an armed conflict to destroy ISIS that we are talking about here.
Will the government reverse its decision and keep our CF-18s in Iraq and Syria, and, if it cannot show leadership, will it at least hold a debate in the House and allow all hon. members to vote on this?