I wish everyone in our riding all the best in 2015. The New Year brings with it new opportunities, rejuvenated spirits and a fresh outlook on the year ahead. Sadly, the New Year has also brought with it shocking and horrific terrorist attacks in France.
Following the terrorist assaults we sustained in Canada last October, it goes to show that no one is immune from violent extremism. As your Member of Parliament, I want to assure everyone that these attacks only serve to strengthen my resolve to support our Conservative government’s efforts to stand up to radicals who choose to use violence and criminal acts against innocent civilians.
The people of France came under attack because they support a core democratic value – one that all democracies share – our freedom of expression. These terrorists have declared war against all countries and people who believe in peace, freedom, and democracy. Canada and our allies will not be intimidated. Canadians have seen the heart-wrenching stories of minorities being persecuted in Iraq and Syria. Together, we are more resolved than ever to unite in the collective fight against global terrorism.
To be clear, free and democratic Western nations are not being attacked because of our efforts to stand up against terrorism in specific areas in the world. Rather, these barbaric acts are perpetrated by jihadi terrorists who have declared war on any country that values freedom, openness and tolerance like ours.
Our Canadian Armed Forces are currently standing up to ISIL because they have been threatening attacks in Canada for a long time, including before the current mission. That is why we are taking part in the coalition that is currently conducting air strikes against ISIL, and supporting the security forces in Iraq in their fight against this terrorist scourge.
Canada and our allies face an increasingly complex national security threat posed by a brutal and violent international jihadist movement. We must adapt to this evolving threat environment. Our Government will continue to ensure our security and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to prevent, detect, deny and respond to acts of terrorism, in order to keep Canadians safe. Our Government plans to bring forward new national security legislation as an important step forward in our country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
