OTTAWA — Foreign Minister Anita Anand said she welcomes different viewpoints ahead of a Friday meeting with her party’s caucus, after her government’s shifting stance on the Iranian conflict has faced criticism.
“The Liberal Party of Canada has always been a party with numerous viewpoints, and we welcome diversity,” said Anand, during a virtual press conference on Friday.
“It’s one of our strengths, in fact, and so I have great respect for my caucus colleagues across the board, and very much look forward to hearing their viewpoints, as I know the prime minister does as well.”
Anand’s comments come as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s stance on the Iran conflict has faced criticism, including within his own caucus.
On Saturday, the prime minister released a statement in support of the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran and their attempts to stop Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. Carney also said he did not envision a combat role for Canada in the operation and was not involved in Operation Epic Fury.
Liberal MP Will Greaves, who represents a riding in Victoria, B.C., publicly criticized Carney’s stance on the strikes, citing international law.
“Canada cannot endorse the unilateral and illegal use of military force, the killing of civilians, or the kidnap and assassination of foreign heads of government, while also insisting that our sovereignty, our rights, and our independence must be respected,” he said in a video posted on YouTube, on Feb. 28.
Since Saturday, Carney’s stance on the Iranian conflict has evolved, during his international trip in India, Australia and Japan. Carney then said his government supported the strikes “with regret” and that they appeared to be “inconsistent with international law” while also calling for a de-escalation.
Then on Wednesday, Carney did not rule out the potential for Canadian military role in the conflict, noting that “one can never categorically rule out participation.” Carney said Canada would defend its allies when it makes sense.
Conservative Foreign Affairs Critic Michael Chong said the government’s position on the conflict has become “totally incoherent.”
On Thursday, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan said she would be meeting with European counterparts on Friday to discuss potential military options to support the Gulf states, but ruled out any Canadian military involvement in the Israeli-U.S. operation.
Since the war began, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been hit by retaliatory Iranian missile and drone strikes.
When asked whether her government is considering a combat role for the Canadian military in the Gulf region, Anand said she remains focused on consular services for Canadians registered in the region.
“I am very much focused on the consular supports that we are offering for Canadians,” she told reporters. “We are not anticipating military involvement at this time, and as I said, we have no intention to participate in Operation Epic Fury.”
Anand added that Carignan’s meeting is part and parcel of Canada’s dialogue with allies that occur regularly and once her conversations are concluded, she expects to have a readout and engage with Defence Minister David McGuinty about next steps.
Currently, there are 108,000 Canadians that have registered with Global Affairs Canada in the region, with 3,500 asking for assistance to leave.
Anand said a chartered flight is scheduled to leave from Dubai to Istanbul Saturday, carrying 180 Canadians. The foreign minister said her government is also working with Air Arabia and Emirates for flight departures from the UAE, and expects 150 people to depart through these block bookings this weekend. Anand said her government has also acquired 325 seats out of Beirut, Lebanon, since the war began. The federal government has also secured 180 seats on four buses leaving Qatar to Saudi Arabia, starting Saturday.
Anand reiterated her government’s stance on the conflict, saying Canada has long called for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, but said Israel and the U.S. have “no blank cheque” when it comes to the operation in Iran and are bound by international law.
“The safety and security of civilians is of the utmost importance and in that vain, de-escalation is top of mind in every conversation that I have with our partners in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” she said.
National Post
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