Federal opposition demands answers on ballistic missile defence

OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – The federal opposition is calling for clarity from the Trudeau government when it comes to the US ballistic missile defence program.

Initially the Ottawa chose not to include the missile program in its long-term defence plans, then as the North Korea threat grew the minister didn’t rule it out, and now the country’s chief of defence staff says they are not engaging in talks with the US about this issue.

Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says she is left scratching her head on where the government stands.

“There are some people that want them to move ahead and participate so we can protect ourselves since we will be a target and there are others, clearly, that are close to any of that activity. The government really hasn’t taken a position — they seem to flip-flop.”

The Tories want missile talks with the US to begin, while the NDP would prefer a diplomatic approach to the North Korean threat.

New Democrat Matthew Dube says it’s about time a clear decision is made. “[They’re] kind of saying, ‘We’re on it, we’re not on it,’ you can see there’s a little bit of a chill there. They’re kind of dipping their toes in the water. I think they should commit one way or another and explain to Canadians what their vision is.”

The current US policy is not to intervene in the event of a ballistic-missile attack on Canada.

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