Rob Nicholson condemns Justin Trudeau’s naïve foreign policy priorities

June 24, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Justin Trudeau announced that his foreign policy priorities include withdrawing Canada from the international coalition led by President Obama that is fighting ISIS terrorists. On the National Day of Victims of Terrorism and while another disturbing video emerged of an execution of civilians at the hands of ISIS, Justin Trudeau committed Canada to sitting on the sidelines. Justin Trudeau wants Canada to stop degrading the ISIS terrorist threat, while this genocidal terrorist group poses an escalating security risk to Canadians, our allies and the Coalition.

“From the immature suggestion that we were going to ‘whip out our CF-18s and show how big they are’, to then referring to Canada’s fighter jets as ‘CF-15s’, and then finally suggesting that Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine over a hockey game, Justin Trudeau has shown time and time again he is just not ready to be Prime Minister.

“Justin Trudeau also firmly believes that Canada should extend a hand to the Iranian regime, which has threatened the world with nuclear weapons, and has promised to wipe Israel off the map. The Iranian regime is a state sponsor of terrorism that systematically violates human rights with little or no respect for due process.

“While Justin Trudeau talks about withdrawing from a vital international counter-terrorism mission and making concessions to a state sponsor of terror, under Prime Minister Harper’s experienced leadership, Canada will combat any threat to our security and fiercely promote Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

“The latest foreign policy blunders further demonstrate that Justin Trudeau is not ready to be Prime Minister.”