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LETTER: Hyer seeks input from constituents on ISIL mission

To the editor: Prime Minister Stephen Harper has introduced a motion to Parliament, to be debated this week with a Monday, March 30 vote, to “extend and expand” the Canadian military involvement in Iraq.

To the editor: 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has introduced a motion to Parliament, to be debated this week with a Monday, March 30 vote, to “extend and expand” the Canadian military involvement in Iraq. He could have chosen to make his intentions known weeks ago in order to have adequate debate in the media, by the public, and in Parliament, but did not.

I am requesting that Northwestern Ontario residents who have thoughts or feelings about the one-year extension and expansion into Syria of our military action against ISIL share them with me by email.

Mr. Harper wants to send missions into Syria, joining USA actions, but without the support of NATO or the UN. While I did vote to send F-18’s five months ago to slow down the worrisome ISIL advance, I am now concerned that mission creep is turning into “mission leap” with rising economic costs and continued risks to Canadian ground personnel.

The Iraq combat mission has already exceeded what the government spent during its seven months in Libya. At the time the Government estimated the 2011 mission in Libya would cost $50 million. It ended up being an astonishing $347 million. We know that the estimated $122 million for the Iraq mission so far is only part of the total cost for the Iraq mission. Minister Kenny refuses to say how large the financial price will be.

As you may recall, Mr. Harper promised that there would be no Canadian boots on the ground when the majority of parliamentarians voted in to send jets to Iraq, clearly stating “The government of Canada will not deploy troops in ground combat operations."

We have now learned that not only are Canadian soldiers accompanying Iraqi troops, they are also directly engaged in front line combat with enemy forces.

I would very much appreciate your personal and private feedback on this proposed extension and potential expansion of the ISIL combat mission into Syria to my personal email at Bruce@BruceHyer.ca. I will not share your thoughts without your permission .

Bruce Hyer,
Green Party M.P.,
Thunder Bay-Superior North





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