Trudeau, Poilievre back U.S., U.K. strikes against Houthis in Yemen
The Canadian government and Official Opposition endorsed Friday the targeted strikes undertaken by armed forces from the United States and United Kingdom against Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
In a statement noting that the few Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed as part of the U.S-led operation supported the military action, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair said the strikes were "consistent with the UN Charter."
The pair of top Canadian cabinet ministers added that the maritime operation also demonstrated "the international community's commitment to defending freedom of navigation and international commerce in the Red Sea," amid continuing and widely condemned Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.
Echoing this during a press conference in Guelph, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Houthi's actions against commercial ships and crew carrying important economic and humanitarian goods in the Red Sea were "absolutely unacceptable," and entirely in contravention of international law.
Trudeau says Canada and its partners worked to ensure the strikes were 鈥渁s precise and specific as possible.鈥
American and British forces struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites including air defence systems and missile launch pads in Yemen on Thursday, using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets in retaliation for the Iranian-backed Houthi's persisting campaign, as The Associated Press has reported.
On Friday, Yemen's Houthi rebels raised the spectre of a wider conflict, vowing to respond to the U.S. and U.K. strikes that U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said will "degrade and disrupt" the militant group's capabilities.
Trudeau said Canadian military members aided in planning the strikes, but noted there were not any Canadian operational assets involved. The Canadian government continues to call on the Houthis to cease their attacks, noting they bear responsibility for any consequences of their actions.
Asked at a press conference in Winnipeg, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said his party endorses Canada's support for the strikes in Yemen.
"Look, the Houthi rebels are basically a proxy for the Iranian government. They've been interrupting vital trade routes, endangering allied soldiers and civilian sailors. They're operating basically as a Tehran-backed pirate outfit that is threatening international security," Poilievre said.
"The strikes are necessary in order to counter this threat."
The federal NDP however, are sounding alarms about a lack of consultation.
"Canada was part of the Saudi-led coalition that horrifyingly bombed Yemen for nearly a decade. Now Canada is joining a new round of airstrikes on the Houthis. Parliamentarians were not consulted. At this dangerous moment the Liberals are making dangerous choices," said NDP MP and foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson in a statement
"Experts are saying these attacks may embolden the Houthis鈥 and create further carnage for civilians. We鈥檙e running head-first into a larger crisis while Gazans continue to suffer."
The prime minister was asked whether Canada has had any conversations with coalition member countries about potential red lines in military escalation, and whether Canadians should be consulted on next steps, should the conflict escalate.
In response, Trudeau said there have been "many conversations" at high levels and the federal government will "continue to take the necessary actions and engage in responsible ways, in ensuring that the world is a safer place."
麻豆影视' military analyst David Fraser described the situation in the Red Sea as the "new regional expansion of the Gaza war."
"We should expect a lot more of these types of operations," Fraser said in an interview on 麻豆影视 Channel, suggesting that, as it persists, Canada may be asked to provide additional capabilities. "This is going to go on for some time."
With files from 麻豆影视' Jeremie Charron
IN DEPTH
Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power.
'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold
Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government鈥檚 three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party鈥檚 popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn鈥檛 be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP needs to decide whether 4 million Canadians deserve dental care: minister
Procurement Minister and newly appointed Quebec lieutenant Jean-Yves Duclos is warning the NDP that the dental care program it helped put into place will be in jeopardy if it pulls its support from the governing Liberals.
Coffee could be more than a morning pick-me-up, according to new research
A morning cup of coffee may do more than just perk you up, according to new research.
'Hubris and greed': Takeaways from the first week of U.S. Coast Guard inquiry into the Titan submersible disaster
More than a year after the Titan submersible imploded, killing all five voyagers on board, the story of the ill-fated expedition to the Titanic has taken the form of a modern-day Greek tragedy overflowing with mortal pride and heedlessness.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, makes first public appearance after cancer treatment
Kate, the Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance Sunday since she announced she had completed chemotherapy and would return to some public duties.
Myths busted and lessons learned: John Vennavally-Rao on his surgery to reverse his ostomy
Twenty-seven year 麻豆影视 reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I鈥檓 grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
What is the U.S. Electoral College? America's path to the presidency, explained
In less than two months, Americans will go to the polls to choose their next president. But the process that translates those millions of votes into one seat in the Oval Office is much more complicated than a straight tally.
Marxist lawmaker Anura Dissanayake claims victory in Sri Lanka's presidential election
Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday claimed he had won Sri Lanka鈥檚 presidential election.
Infectious disease physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch says whooping cough is most risky for unvaccinated infants, children and older people.
Childhood sleep issues may raise suicide risk, study finds
If your child sometimes has trouble sleeping, it may be easy to chalk it up to a phase they will grow out of one day. But a new study suggests possible serious consequences for this line of thought 鈥 such as a higher risk for suicidal ideation or attempts when they are older.
Local Spotlight
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.
An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.
They say a dog is a man鈥檚 best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.