Harper Seeks to Extend ISIL Mission

One of several of my unpublished stories written for the Toronto Observer. Written  on March 31st.

The Canadian military could be in the Middle East for another six months to a year if Prime Minister Stephan Harper has his way.

In a speech Harper gave in the House of Commons Tuesday he outlined his plan to expand the operating area of Canadian military into Syria to prevent the growth of ISIL.

Harper insisted that it is necessary for Canadians to continue their mission in Iraq to combat ISIL which is growing at "a truly terrifying pace" and are "far from an idle threat." Harper said that extending the mission will not change Canada's non-combat role in the conflict.

"Our objectives remain the same: we intend to continue to degrade the capabilities of ISIL, that is, to degrade its ability to engage in military movements of scale," Harper said.

NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau voiced concerns about Harper's plan after the announcement. Mulcair insisted that Canada "has no place" in the conflict in Iraq. Trudeau accused Harper of being dishonest with Canadians about the nature of the military's mission.

"Canadians need to know what the government is getting them into," Trudeau said.

The Observer took to the streets to get  reactions from the public. When asked if they thought the Canadian military should extend their mission in Iraq, some responses were:

"I don't really know what's going on over there anymore.  I heard we're moving into Syria but I thought no Canadians were on the ground?" said Vanny, a high school teacher.

"I think that we need to protect ourselves but I think this is going to cause more problems... for everyone," said Brandon , an environmental engineer and university student.

"I think we should take up a non-combat role, like providing economic support. It seems that we're doing this to maintain international relations. But this is not our war. It's not a UN mission and it's not a NATO mission," said Cameron, a journalist and university student. When asked if he thinks ISIL poses a threat to Canadians he added "I think a lot of their (ISIL's) threats are empty. To make them seem more capable than they are."

"Canada should continue its current initiative overseas. I don't think leaving foreign countries would decrease the threat level at home. They should remain deployed for as long as it takes. Indefinitely if need be," responded Adrian, a construction worker and business owner.

"There's no legal basis for this mission at this point in time. Your (the Conservatives) disregard for diplomatic law is symptomatic of (their) approach to this mission, which is irresponsible and doesn't take seriously the need to protect the lives of the Canadian Armed Forces." Said Matthew Kellway, NDP Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York.

When asked if he thought Canadians were clear on what the mission in Iraq was Kellway responded "If Canadians are confused or simply don't know what our troops are doing and engaged with in Iraq and now maybe Syria it's perfectly understandable. This is a government that's been economical with the truth and that's the most charitable way to put it."

I've always seen Canada as a peace-keeping nation doing their part to make sure that people in countries abroad to live peacefully.What I would like to see Canada do more is reach out to the Canadian-Muslim population. So what I think needs to be done is we need to come together and engage youth and figure out whatever their angst is to have more of an open dialogue," said Georgia who works as a journalist.

A Life Sentence For Life

On Mar 4 Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives announced their plan to enact Bill C-53. The Bill would ensure that a life sentence is just that – a sentence for life.

The Bill, which is known as the “Life Means Life Act” in the House of Commons, would amend the Criminal Code to make it make mandatory for Canada’s “most heinous” criminals to serve a life sentence with no chance of parole. According to Harper, the most serious crimes that would warrant a mandatory life sentence include first-degree murder, terrorism and the killing of a police officer.

Harper believes that ensuring dangerous criminals are never released back into society is respectful to families who have lost loved ones as well as protects the general public. When he made the announcement introducing Bill C-53, Harper said that if a criminal who was supposed to spend the rest of their life in prison was to commit another crime upon their release it would be a "betrayal" to the family who has lost a loved one.

Not everyone shares the prime minster's sentiment that imposing Bill C-53 will make things safer in Canada. Catherine Latimer, executive director of the John Howard Society in Kingston, called Harper's proposed bill "unfair", "cruel" and "dangerous." According to Latimer, removing a prisoners chance for parole would make the job of watching over them more difficult and more dangerous.

"Corrections officers and others have expressed concerns about controlling behaviour and motivating good behaviour because there is absolutely no carrot being held in front of them [the prisoners]," she explained.

Latimer added that she doesn't see the effectiveness of Harper's planned provisions. She said the standard 25-life sentence gives prisoners time to "age and mature", allowing them and the victims' loved ones to move on from the traumatic experience.

Sean C (last name withheld) was sentenced to jail for uttering death threats. He said that the life sentence is a fair punishment, but should not mean life behind bars.

While Sean acknowledged the fact that those who have spent time in prison should be monitored, he added "people should have a chance to prove themselves remorseful for their crimes."

Prime Minster Harper stated that his reasoning for wanting to impose Bill C-53 to prevent dangerous criminals from committing further crimes upon release. Government records show that there are currently 203 people who were convicted of first-degree murder out on parole. Anthony Doob, professor of criminology and socio-legal studies at the University of Toronto, doesn't think these people integrated back into the community pose a threat.

"No. Repeat murders by those released from prison for murder account for fewer than half of one per cent of all murders in Canada (less than one per cent of released offenders)." he said.

If Parliament approves the Bill it would continue with the Harper government’s eight years of “tough on crime” policies, which has seen the introduction of more than 60 crime bills. To address some of the “constitutional concerns” that Bill C-53 raises, those who are sentenced to life without parole would have the right to petition to the public safety minister after serving 35 years of their sentence.

Several politicians have criticized Harper's position including NDP justice critic Francoise Boivin, Green Party leader Elizabeth May and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau who accused the prime minister of "campaigning on fear."

According to the latest annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator, "one-quarter of the incarcerated population is serving a life or indeterminate sentence."

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