Canada has supported any possible military action against the Syrian regime by the US, though ruled out its direct participation in any such move.
“Although the Prime Minister made it very clear yesterday that the Government of Canada has no plans at this time for a Canadian military mission, we fully support our friends and allies in responding to the Assad regime’s horrific attack on its own people,” Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said.
Baird’s statement came yesterday after US Secretary of State John Kerry publicly outlined the details of how they concluded that the Assad regime flagrantly used chemical weapons against its own people, causing wide-scale death and devastation in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21, 2013.
“Along with its international partners and allies, Canada has condemned this as despicable and abhorrent act,” Baird said.
“As Prime Minister Harper said earlier this week, Canada believes that a firm and unequivocal response is needed to deter any future use of chemical weapons.
“We also believe that a clear message on the proliferation and use of such weapons must be sent to rogue regimes around the world,” he said.
Baird said that the Obama administration has shown great resolve and proper due diligence in the past week, and Canada fully support its efforts going forward.
“Prime Minister Harper and I will continue to keep in close contact with Canada’s allies and partners in the days and weeks ahead,” he added.