The prime minister has introduced a motion proposing Canada join its allies in launching air strikes against Islamic State militants.

Stephen Harper told the House of Commons Friday morning that the mission in Iraq would last up to six months but there would be no ground troops.

Harper said “when our allies recognize and respond to a threat, that would also harm us, we Canadians do not stand on the sidelines. We do our part.”

There will be a debate and vote on the motion in Parliament next week.

The federal government's motion also expressly says the government will not deploy troops "in ground combat operations.”

The motion says the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has called on its members to target Canada and Canadians at home and abroad, and it says the global threat posed by ISIL is expected to continue to grow.

(With files from the Canadian Press)