Canada takes a big step toward troops in Iran war
Joint statement with NATO allies indicates direction
Canadian troops may be only days away from deploying to the Middle East to aid the U.S.’s and Israel’s war on Iran.
The latest indication is a joint statement expressing concern about Iran’s restriction of oil tankers through the narrow Strait of Hormuz signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO allies late in the week.
The statement says:
“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”
- Joint statement from the leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on the Strait of Hormuz
Is PM Carney sending contradictory messages intentionally?
The Carney government seems to be delivering pro-war messages intended for the bellicose Trump administration, and anti-war messages intended for Parliament and the Canadian public which is opposed to sending troops.
For instance, after the Prime Minister refused to rule out sending troops, his Foreign Affairs Minister took a different stance. “We were not consulted in advance about these operations, and we have no intention of joining them (emphasis added),” Minister Anita Anand told Parliamentary last week.
Now, the government is now expressing its, “readiness to contribute.”
Trump Vs. the Canadian public
The government finds itself caught between Canadian public opinion and the Trump Administration.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute shows three-quarters of Canadians (74%) say Canada’s military should not be involved in this conflict, with one-in-ten (10%) disagreeing. Another 15 per cent take no position.
The greatest opposition comes from Liberal voters (88% opposed). Even a majority of Conservative voters are against sending troops (61% opposed).
But the joint statement signed by Canada and others committed to helping prevent Iran from obstructing tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was clearly in response to a blistering attack on NATO by President Trump posted on social media.
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East,” the social media post read. “We no longer ‘need’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!”
Two days later, Trump got the backing of Canada and NATO allies he demanded.
What might Canada’s involvement look like?
Defence Minister David McGuinty said this week that Canada is “considering” aiding Iran’s neighbours to defend themselves, if they seek assistance from the NATO alliance.
My guess is that Canada will try to frame its military commitment as supporting allied Gulf States in defending themselves from illegal attacks from Iran – while not participating in the U.S. and Israeli campaign itself.
This way Prime Minister Carney can argue he is not technically joining the illegal war on Iran, but is operating within international law to defend an allied country, and any Canadians in those countries.
One possible country might be Qatar. The Prime Minister affirmed the importance of protecting the security and territorial sovereignty of Qatar and regional partners in a call with Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on March 9.
In terms of military equipment, some commentators such as Scott Taylor have said that Canada would have little to contribute.
But Canada might emulate the Australian government which announced on March 10 it would send an early-warning reconnaissance aircraft to the Middle East.
Troops in harm’s way may shift public opinion
While Canadians are opposed today, with troops in harm’s way public opinion could shift.
A generational ago, “supporting the troops” was a central argument to back Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. The Carney government might try so again to appease the Trump administration in Washington, and overcome public opposition at home.
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Most say Canada on the wrong track with Iran war
Last week we reviewed the political positions of the government and opposition parties about Iran. I asked you, “Is Canada on the right track or wrong track in its approach to the war on Iran?”
Three-out-of-four readers felt that Canada is on the wrong track (72%), while many others (20%) said Canada is on the right track. The remainder said they didn’t know or were unsure (8%).
I believe the strong opposition of the Canadian public to this monstrous and illegal war would only increase if Canadian troops were to be directly and deliberately exposed to the dangers of active participation.
This is a wake up call for all Canadians to be conscious of what war means. I say no to war, no to making or using arms against any country. Don't people realize the suffering in Gaza, in Ukraine ,in Sudan that the use of arms bring about? If we think we need to defend ourselves, we need to be ready for unarmed civilian defense.