Article content continued

In the age of terror, who are we? The only clear answer is that we must continue to be champions of compassion. But what does it mean to be compassionate in the Middle East right now? The evacuation of 25,000 people from the conflict zone is a start — if it’s done properly and safely. But what about the many more who will be left on the ground in Iraq and Syria with the threat of ISIL looming? What of the women and children trafficked for profit, the men told to dig their own graves before being executed or the millions chased from their homes by an enemy that fights without a shred of mercy or honour? How is it compassionate to save a fraction of those at risk and leave the rest to die when you have the power and resources to do otherwise?

Let’s not belittle the contribution our armed forces have made by claiming it’s too small to be missed

Canada’s fight against ISIL may be small, but it is mighty. And it has saved lives: our Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) bombs ISIL military installations and artillery pieces, which, if not neutralized, will be used by this death cult to destroy villages and end the lives of thousands of civilians. By October of this year, the RCAF had conducted 172 airstrikes against ISIL, destroying terrorist fighting positions, equipment, vehicles, explosives factories and storage facilities. Our men and women in uniform risk their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we do. The threat posed by ISIL is real and has touched us here in Canada. Let’s not belittle the contribution our armed forces have made by claiming it’s too small to be missed.