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Where does Bagnell stand on the fight against ISIL?

Where does Bagnell stand on the fight against ISIL? Last week the House of Commons supported Canada's involvement to degrade the capabilities of the ISIL threat in Iraq. Unfortunately, the Liberal leader refused to take this mission seriously in public o

Last week the House of Commons supported Canada’s involvement to degrade the capabilities of the ISIL threat in Iraq. Unfortunately, the Liberal leader refused to take this mission seriously in public or in the vote direction of his caucus.

Of course not all Liberal Party members and supporters concur with Justin’s decision to sit and ignore Canada’s international responsibility. Now that Larry Bagnell has been elected as the Liberal candidate in the Yukon, it’s time he answers questions about where he stands on Canada’s mission to Iraq in the fight against the barbaric ISIL group.

Does Larry agree with Justin? That military intervention, to save enslaved women, murdered children, mass genocide, human displacement of millions of civilians and to stop the beheading of journalists is unnecessary? Or would he agree with the Conservative government, and the majority of Canadians, including former Liberal colleagues and friends of his?

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, a former justice minister and a globally recognized human rights defender, abstained from the vote. Former Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and former Liberal cabinet ministers Lawrence MacAulay and Mauril Belanger were also absent from last Tuesday night’s vote.

Influential Liberals like former interim leader Bob Rae, former Liberal cabinet ministers Lloyd Axworthy and Ujjal Dosanjh, and retired general and former Liberal senator Romeo Dallaire all argued for a combat mission in Iraq.

Bryon Wilfert, a former Liberal MP, tweeted, “As a former Liberal Foreign Affairs/Defence Critic, I believe the case has been made for Canada to support the fight (in Iraq). ” Michelle Simson, another former Liberal MP, also posted a tweet saying, “If I was still in the House of Commons, I would vote with the government on this issue.”

Larry has been quick to criticize the Conservative government and our MP, but he has yet to offer Yukon residents any clear path or plan. Time to state your position on where you stand with this important mission and global threat, Mr. Bagnell. Are you with the two-thirds of all Canadians who support the Conservative effort to stop ISIL, or are you once again whipped by your party leader?

Cathy Ward

Whitehorse