Canada's new prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is keeping his word so far. Susana Mas (CBC News) reports that he has announced February 22nd as the day "Canada will cease all coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria."
Mas quotes him stating, "It is important to understand that while airstrike operations can be very useful to achieve short-term military and territorial gains, they do not on their own achieve long-term stability for local communities."
Merrit Kennedy (NPR) adds:
Canadian troops will now "focus on training and advising local security forces to take their fight directly to ISIL," according to a government statement.
Canada says it will still assist with aerial refueling and surveillance activities associated with the airstrikes.
At his Twitter feed, Trudeau went over the basics:
We’ll also contribute $270 million to help provide basic social services in countries that have accepted large numbers of refugees.
Nous verserons aussi 270 millions $ pour offrir des services sociaux de base dans les pays qui ont accueilli beaucoup de réfugiés.
Our plan commits $840m over three years in humanitarian support to those hit hardest by the conflict: http://bit.ly/1Phdfpe
Notre plan affecte 840 m$ sur 3 ans en soutien humanitaire pour les gens les plus durement touchés par le conflit : http://bit.ly/1W7jyh4
Canada’s aerial refuelling and surveillance operations will continue. CF-18 airstrikes will cease no later than February 22.
Les opérations canadiennes de surveillance et de ravitaillement aériens continuent. Les frappes des CF 18 cesseront dès le 22 février.
Canada will triple the size of its train, advise and assist mission to help Iraqi security forces plan and execute operations.
Le Canada triplera la taille de sa mission pour aider les forces de sécurité irakiennes à planifier et à exécuter leurs opérations.
Our plan in Iraq & Syria increases the number of Canadian personnel supporting coalition members fighting against ISIL.
Notre plan pour l’Irak et la Syrie augmente l’effectif canadien qui soutient la lutte des membres de la coalition contre l’EIIL.
Our efforts will better reflect what Canada is all about: Defending our interests and freedoms with our allies, and helping those in need.
Nos efforts reflèteront mieux l’intention du Canada : défendre nos intérêts et libertés avec nos alliés et aider ceux qui en ont besoin.
For those keeping track, that's more information in one hour than Barack (or John Kerry) has offered in a month or two as to what the US is doing in Iraq.
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