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The NDP has already been asking for another debate in the House of Commons.
NDP calls for debate on military role in Iraq
Lee Berthiaume
Ottawa Citizen
26 Jan 2015
The Official Opposition NDP plans to call for an emergency debate on the war against the Islamic State after revelations Canadian military personnel have been on the front lines in Iraq.
Senior military officials said this week that Canadian soldiers on the ground have directed 13 bombing attacks against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) since November. They have also "neutralized" other enemy forces with sniper fire after being shot at.
Opposition parties accuse the Conservative government of misleading Parliament and Canadians about the fight against ISIL, saying the government promised Canadian troops would not be involved in combat on the ground.
NDP defence critic Jack Harris says he'll ask House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer for an emergency debate on Iraq when MPs return from the Christmas break on Monday, because the government needs to answer to Canadians and Parliament. It will be up to Scheer to decide whether to grant the request.
"We've got a situation here where the people of Canada and Parliament have been misled about the nature of the operation," Harris said. "Canadian ground troops were actually engaged in calling for airstrikes and spending 20 per cent of their time on the front lines, which is not what people expected, and is contrary to so many of the (government's) statements."
The government has said calling in airstrikes does not constitute combat, and that Canadian troops have a right to defend themselves if shot at. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said this week that he was proud of the work the commandos are doing in Iraq.
But defence chief Gen. Tom Lawson said in an interview in October that the 69 special forces troops in Iraq would not be calling in bombing strikes.
Lawson now says the situation "evolved" after he made those comments, and that calling in airstrikes and putting troops within shooting distance of ISIL forces is "entirely consistent with the advise-andassist mandate given to the Canadian Armed Forces by the government."
Harris said the entire mission has been shrouded in secrecy and confusion. Parliamentarians have had only one briefing from the military or government about Canada's combat mission in Iraq since October, and the NDP critic said it's time to shine some light on what's happening.