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Canada and the War in Iraq

PAGE DEVELOPED BY: Julia Tallmeister 2006

Canada and the War in Iraq:
Summary

The main reason of the USA invasion of Iraq was oil. The United States wanted to gain control of Iraq's oilfields, and to establish military bases in Iraq that would eventually dominate the Middle East and take over every other country depending on oil.

Although Canada has close ties with the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada decided to not join the War in Iraq in 2003. At first, it was uncertain if Canada supported the war. The Prime Minister at the time, Jean Cretien, was saying that Canada was unlikely to join if it didn't have absolute support from the United Nations. In November 2003 Canada was invited to join the coalition, and it had already been stated in January that Canada would participate in the invasion if the UN resolutions were being violated by Iraq. Canada wanted to start a new UN resolution to hold back the war, however this failed and the war started with no Canadian involvement.

Even though Canada chose to not participate, it has been indirectly involved by modestly providing support for the US led war.
For example:
-Canada transferred 25 military planners from US Central Command in Tampa, Florida to the US command post in Qatar.
-Canadian military personnel were used aboard the US Air Force's E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System air craft. One aircraft carried around 180 members from the Canadian unit.
-The Canadian government allowed US planes that were heading to Iraq pass through the Canadian air space.
-To prevent terrorists from travelling through the Gulf region, Canada sent out many vessels, who were given permission to support their allies.
-Canada sent 2000 soldiers to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, helping American forces.
-Canadians have enlisted in foreign armies and served in Iraq, and over 50 Canadians went to Iraq on an exchange program with allied US forces.
-The Canadian government raised $300 000 000 towards the effort to help rebuild land in Iraq after the war.

Canada did not join the coalition against Iraq because we would not have much military to contribute. Instead, Canada offered political and diplomatic assistance.

Paul Martin made the comment that no Canadian troops will be sent to Iraq after meeting with French President Jacques Chirac

Historical Importance of the war in Iraq

Canada's tourism industry was impacted by the Iraq War, and this was followed by the outbreak of SARS which caused it to decrease more. In April 2003 Canada lost $92.2 million in hotel room revenue. Thousands of Canadians have opposed and protested against the war in Iraq.So far, the results of the ongoing Iraq war are: -Saddam Hussein was captured and his government has been overthrown -Iraq has been captured by forces of the coalition -There has been an attempt to reconstruct damage done to Iraq after the invasion

Critique of Webistes/Articles

A protest for peace in Montreal

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the War in Iraq?
1. For the USA to use the Iraqis as slaves
2. For the USA to gain control of Iraq's oilfields
3. For Iraq to gain control of the USA's oilfields
4. To get Canada involved in the war
Which Prime Minister first decided to not join the coalition?
1. Jean Cretien
2. Paul Martin
3. George Bush
4. Jacques Chirac
What also effected Canada's economy at the time of the Iraq war?
1. Hurricane Katrina
2. A war in Canada
3. SARS
4. The Spanish Flu
How has Canada participated in the Iraq war??
1. The Canadian government raised money to help rebuild land in Iraq
2. Canadians have enlisted in foreign armies and served in Iraq
3. Canada sent out many vessels to prevent terrorist from passing the Gulf Region
4. All of the above
5. What are the results of the Iraq war so far?
1. Saddam Hussein was captured
2. Iraq has been captured by forces of the Coalition
3. Both 1 and 2 are correct
4. The Canadian government has fallen apart