On Oct. 17, Chief of defence Staff General Tom Lawson told reporters at a briefing that the cost estimates for Canada’s military contributions have been provided to Cabinet and will be made public in the “future.” Gen. Lawson said costs will be done “incrementally” and through the regular Parliamentary process and will not impact other operations, such as search and rescue.
“They have this information [cost estimates for military contributions], the military prepares that information, they present that to the minister and to government and they’re keeping it secret and hiding it from Canadians. They should be sharing that information with the public,” said Liberal MP Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra, B.C.), her party’s defence critic, who said she’s asked the government multiple times for cost figures for Canada’s military deployments to combat ISIS in Iraq to no response.
Some 85 Canadian Armed Forces members left CFB Trenton on Oct. 16 for Kuwait, where they will help set up a camp to serve as base for Canada’s military contributions to combat ISIS in Iraq. An estimated 600 Canadian troops will ultimately be stationed at the base to support “up to” six CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft, one CC-150 Polaris tanker air-to-air refueling plane, and one airlift aircraft for six months.
Canada’s CF-18s are set to take part in airstrikes on ISIS in Iraq, but the government has indicated that any airstrikes in Syria would be contingent upon the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a stipulation that has been heavily criticized by the opposition and other experts. Canada joins a number of other countries taking part in airstrikes as part of a US-led international coalition to combat ISIS, including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the UK and Australia.
On Sept. 16, Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary-Southwest, Alta.) said the government was deploying 69 military advisers to Iraq for 30 days, and that deployment has since been extended for six months. On Oct. 1, Mr. Harper confirmed that so far only 26 advisers were on the ground in northern Iraq, though up to 69 have been authorized to be sent.
In August, Canada sent a CC-130J Hercules transport aircraft and one CC-177 Globemaster 3 Strategic Airlifter, along with 75 Armed Forces personnel, to transport military supplies donated by allies to Iraqi security forces fighting ISIS.
In addition to these military contributions, Canada has also announced $15-million in “non-lethal” security assistance to support Iraqi forces and to help limit the movement of foreign fighters.
Canada has contributed a total of about $28-million in humanitarian aid to date as a result of the crisis caused by ISIS, including $7-million in relief supplies, such as emergency shelters and health-care services; $10-million to provide services and treatment for Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have been victims of sexual abuse or violence; $5-million split between four experienced humanitarian partners including Save the Children Canada; and $5-million in supplies including food, hygiene kits, cooking materials, blankets, tents and medical supplies.
ISIS, also known as ISIL, is an unintentional byproduct of the Arab Spring, which while bringing about some reform in some countries in the region also led to destabilization, including the outbreak of a still ongoing civil war in Syria. ISIS styles itself an Islamic caliphate and is working to erase national borders in the region and impose its interpretation of Sharia law. ISIS has also called on supporters across the world to attack non-Muslims, specifically naming a number of Western countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Amnesty International has accused ISIS of ethnic cleansing of religious minorities, and reports of beheadings, crucifixions, whippings, rape, slavery and child soldiers have all emerged from ISIS-held territory.
The U.S. State Department has indicated that a total of 60 countries are members of the U.S.-led international coalition to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, with participation ranging from expressing support for combating ISIS to actively participating in ongoing airstrikes.
In response to questions from The Hill Times, Defence Minister Rob Nicholson’s (Niagara Falls, Ont.) office indicated that of the 600 military personnel to be based in Kuwait, 280 aircrew and other personnel are there to support surveillance operations, as well as the air-to-air refuelling plane and an airlift aircraft, while 320 aircrew and other personnel are there to support the “up to six” CF-188 Hornet fighter jets.
“Military expenditures are routinely reported to the House, including through the estimates process. Let’s not ignore the human cost of allowing ISIS to continue its rampage across Canada,” said Mr. Nicholson’s press secretary Johanna Quinney, in an email response to questions concerning the cost of Canada’s military contributions.
While the government hasn’t released any cost estimates for Canada’s participation in airstrikes on ISIS, observers have pointed to cost figures now known for Canada’s seven-month bombing campaign in Libya in 2011 involving seven fighter jets along with more than 650 personnel at its peak. That campaign cost a total of $347-million. The U.S., the Netherlands and Australia have all publicized at least some information on the cost of their military contributions.
NDP MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, Ont.), his party’s foreign affairs critic, said the Conservative government has a “pattern” of withholding information on costs, referring to past efforts to find out the cost of Canada’s previous mission in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to Mr. Dewar asking then Parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page to produce a report on the cost of the mission. The PBO estimated the total cost as high as $18.5-billion by 2011.
“Things change and costs are determined by what happens on the ground at times, but you should be able to give a good macro cost of how much the mission’s going to be,” said Mr. Dewar.
Mr. Dewar said the government has been specific about the cost of humanitarian aid, and while there may be some unknown variables related to military contributions—like the exact cost to fuel fighter jets for an unknown number of airstrikes over a six month period—a “ballpark figure” should at least be known and made public. But Mr. Dewar said the government is more interested in rhetoric.
“They’re more interested in talking about ‘the mission,’ and they’re probably concerned that somehow if people knew how much it was going to cost there wouldn’t be as much support for the mission,” Mr. Dewar told The Hill Times.
Both NDP and Liberal Party MPs all voted against the government’s technically symbolic motion to Parliament on the decision to send “up to six” CF-18s to conduct airstrikes in Iraq for six months. The motion passed with the support of the Conservative majority—and either way, the government technically did not require the approval of Parliament to send CF-18s abroad.
The NDP has said that rather than taking part in military action, Canada should be contributing more humanitarian aid to help those affected by ISIS in the region and said the government’s military mission lacked details.
Meanwhile, the Liberals, who were supportive of the government’s move to send military advisers to Iraq, also said the government provided an insufficient level of information regarding the mission for it to give approval to take part in airstrikes.
Ms. Murray said in addition to at least cost estimates for Canada’s military contributions, she wants to know where the money will come from, whether that be Canada’s national defence budget or a special appropriation of funds.
“This government has frozen and cut the national defence budget starting in 2010, and there’s been significant impacts on training and on operations, as well as on replacement of equipment and there’s big questions in many peoples minds … [if] costs are coming out of that same budget what will be the further effects on support for mental health, support for families, training, equipment and so on,” said Ms. Murray.
Ms. Murray said a “possible parallel” can be drawn between Canada’s military contributions and Australia’s, which may give some indication of costs.
Australia has sent six F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, along with a surveillance aircraft, and tanker and transport aircraft along with about 600 personnel. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said his country’s involvement in Iraq is likely to cost a quarter of a billion dollars every six months.
Mr. Dewar said if costs are coming out of existing budgets, which have faced cuts in recent years in light of the economic recession, there’s going to be a “natural opportunity cost.”
“What’s going to suffer? What budgets within that are going to be cut? ...That’s the question and we haven’t got a clear answer from the Conservatives on that,” said Mr. Dewar.
“If you’re putting all your eggs in the basket of the combat mission, what’s left to invest in humanitarian support and some of the other things that we were asked to do,” he said, referring to conversations he had while he was in Iraq alongside Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and Liberal foreign affairs critic Marc Garneau (Westmount-Ville-Marie, Que.).
Mr. Dewar said Canada isn’t doing enough on the humanitarian side at present, and said the NDP will continue to push to get answers on costs.
On Friday, Oct. 17, International Development Minister Christian Paradis (Mégantic-L’Érable, Que.) said the federal government will spend another $5-million to new assistance projects in Iraq, including $2.25-million going immediately to trusted humanitarian partners on the ground, the International Red Cross, Mercy Corps, and Save The Children.
On Sept. 9, the House Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee held a special meeting to discuss the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces to Iraq and the threat posed by ISIS.
“This terrorist organization is not only committing barbaric murders through the systemic killing of religious minorities but represents a real and growing threat to civilization itself,” Mr. Nicholson told the committee.
“There is real concern that this radical militant group is likely to harbour terrorists that may threaten Canada and our allies,” he said.
As part of the discussion, Mr. Nicholson indicated that 11 flights by Royal Canadian Air Force planes had delivered almost 500,000 pounds of military supplies from allies to Iraqi security forces to date.
Ambassador of the Office for Religious Freedom, Dr. Andrew Bennett, also appeared to testify before the committee on Canada’s contributions to the fight against ISIS and indicated that his office is working with “partner organizations” in the next few months to “identify initiatives to improve interfaith relations and dialogue in Iraq in the medium and long term.”
Dr. Bennett said the office, which was first established in February 2013, is assessing “a number of projects” in Iraq to increase interfaith dialogue through its religious freedom fund.
“We have received, I believe three specific project proposals that would help persecuted religious minorities in the region,” said Dr. Bennett, out of about 220 proposals for funding received overall.
The religious freedom fund was allocated $3.75-million in the 2014-15 Main Estimates (as well as in 2013-14, its first fiscal year).
Mr. Baird said Canada’s has two “short-term goals,” the first is to stop ISIS’s advance, and the second is to support Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government “to help them help themselves.”
Mr. Baird also discussed questions around the resettlement of those displaced as a result of ISIS, referencing discussions he had while visiting the region.
“There are many families who don’t want to leave Iraq. They obviously are horrified of the prospect of returning to Mosul; I mean, if your neighbour ratted you out to an international terrorist organization for being a Christian, it’s hard to perceive how you would ever feel comfortable returning to that,” Mr. Baird told the committee.
“Some may want to come to Canada or leave Iraq; others would be very keen to be resettled within the Kurdistan Regional Government territory. That as well is something that we learned. We’ll look at what other measures we can do,” he said.
Global Contributions to Combat ISIS
A total of 60 countries are involved in a U.S.-led international coalition to combat ISIS in both Iraq and Syria, according to the U.S. State Department.
The Canadian government recently announced it’s sending six CF-18s, two surveillance aircraft, an air-to-air refueling plane and an airlift aircraft—along with supporting personnel—for six months to combat ISIS in Iraq. The government has also indicated that any air strikes in Syria would be contingent on permission from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a decision that’s been heavily criticized.
In addition, Sweden, Kuwait, Switzerland, Japan, Austria, New Zealand, South Korea, Ireland, Spain, Slovakia, Norway and Luxembourg have contributed humanitarian aid.
As well, coalition members Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Kosovo, Oman, Poland, Croatia, Romania, Singapore, and Taiwan have expressed support for efforts to combat ISIL. Lebanon is also a member of the coalition, but is receiving military help for its army to fight ISIL. The U.S. State Department has also named Andorra, Bosnia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Tunisia and Ukraine as coalition members.
U.S.
Leading international efforts to combat ISIL, the U.S. has been conducting airstrikes in Iraq since August and in Syria since September.
American planes have carried out more than 1,700 “air raids” since August.
In August, a Pentagon spokesperson said U.S. operations in Iraq, including airstrikes, surveillance flights and increased embassy security, cost approximately $7.5-million per day.
More than 1,400 troops are in Iraq, including security personnel and advisory teams, largely in Baghdad, but U.S. President Barack Obama has ruled out sending combat troops.
F-22 Raptor jets, F-18 Super Hornet jets, F-16s, B-1 bombers and predator drones conducting airstrikes.
USS naval ships are also stationed in the Persian Gulf and by the end of September two ships had launched a total of 47 Tomahawk missiles, at a reported cost of $1.59-million each.
On Oct. 6, U.S. Defence Department data went public (reportedly inadvertently) indicating roughly $1.1-billion has been spent on military operations to combat ISIS since June, with airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria totalling more then $62-million to date.
During the 2014 fiscal year, the U.S. Agency for International Development says the U.S. has provided more than $138-million in humanitarian aid to help Iraqis.
On Sept. 12, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced $500-million in humanitarian aid to help those affected by war in Syria (since March 2011, the U.S. has contributed more than $2.9-billion in humanitarian assistance related to conflict in Syria).
Canada
Up to 69 military advisers to continue to advise Iraqi forces for six months, and 26 are reportedly currently on the ground in northern Iraq.
One CC-130J Hercules transport aircraft and one C-177 Globemaster 3 Strategic Airlifter committed to transport military supplies donated by allies, along with 75 personnel.
Sending six CF-18s, two surveillance aircraft, and one air-to-air refuelling plane, along with about 600 support staff, for six-month mission to be based in Kuwait.
Canada’s seven-month campaign in Libya in 2011, which involved seven fighter jets in addition to other navy and air equipment and more than 650 personnel at its peak, cost a total of $347-million.
The government says it’s allocated more than $28-million in humanitarian aid in Iraq since the start of 2014, including $7-million in relief supplies, including emergency shelters and health care services; $10-million to provide services and treatment for Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have been victims of sexual abuse or violence; $5-million split between four experienced humanitarian partners including Save the Children Canada; and $5-million in supplies including food, hygiene kits, cooking materials, blankets, tents and medical supplies.
Contributed $15-million in “non-lethal” security assistance to support Iraqi forces and to help limit movement of foreign fighters
United Kingdom
Contributed $1.6-million in weapons and ammunition to arm Kurdish forces
Royal Air Force squad has contributed to surveillance operations.
Sent six RAF Tornado GR4 fighter jets based in Cyprus to conduct airstrikes in Iraq in August. The U.K. has indicated it will not join airstrikes in Syria.
Tornado fighter jets cost about $57,000 per hour, based on figures from airstrikes in Libya in 2011, and the Brimstone precision missile—which are one of the missiles expected to be used in airstrikes—cost about $240,000 each.
Contributed $38-million (£23-million) overall in aid relief for displaced Iraqis.
Providing bomb disposal training to up to 18 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters for a month in Erbil, Iraq to help counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), estimated at a cost of £230,000
Australia
Sent six F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, along with an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, a KC-30A multi-role tanker and transport aircraft, based in the UAE to conduct air strikes in northern Iraq.
Sending a special operations task group to advise Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
Total of about 600 personnel being sent, including 400 air personnel and 200 military personnel, however there have been issues with their arrival and 200 Australia special forces members are reportedly stuck in the UAE.
Contributed $5-million in humanitarian aid to Iraq.
Australian PM Tony Abbott has said his country’s involvement in Iraq is likely to cost a quarter of a billion dollars every six months and has said Australia will not put combat troops on the ground to participate in fighting.
France
Dubbed Opération Chammal, France is conducting airstrikes and reconnaissance flights in Iraq.
Overall, France has sent nine Rafale combat planes, an anti-aircraft frigate sent to the Persian Gulf along with about 250 crew members, a C135-FR tanker aircraft, and an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft.
Delivered 59 tonnes of “humanitarian cargo” to Erbil, Iraq with more deliveries anticipated.
Contributed 18,000 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition.
Netherlands
Sent six F-16 fighter jets, two reserve jets along with 250 pilots and support staff, to be based in Jordan to conduct airstrikes in Iraq for one year—but not in Syria.
Sending 130 military trainers to Iraq to support Iraqi and Kurdish fighters.
Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has said this “first phase,” which includes both airstrikes and military trainers, will cost around $191-million.
Provided 1,000 helmets and 1,000 bulletproof vests for Kurdish forces.
Contributed $10-million in humanitarian aid.
Germany
Sent 40 paratroopers to Iraq to provide weapons training to Kurdish fighters.
Sending 16,000 assault rifles, hundreds of anti-tank weapons and armoured vehicles to arm 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers.
Providing training for some Kurdish fighters in South Germany.
Delivered 36 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
Iraq
Has authorized air strikes in its air space and welcomed coalition support to combat ISIL.
Jordan
Participated in air strikes in Syria.
Has worked to cut off funding to extremist and terrorist organizations.
Saudi Arabia
Participated in airstrikes in Syria.
Contributed $100-million to the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre.
Contributed $500-million to UN humanitarian aid agencies in Iraq.
United Arab Emirates
Participated in airstrikes in Syria.
Contributed $500-million in humanitarian aid to Iraq.
Bahrain
Participated in airstrikes in Syria.
Has opened air space and allowed the U.S. to use its military facilities.
Belgium
Sending six F-16 fighter jets, with eight pilots, and 120 support staff, along with some C-130 cargo planes.
Contributed 13 tons of aid to Iraq.
Denmark
Sending seven F-16 fighter jets (four to be operational and three as reserves), along with 250 pilots and support staff.
Italy
Contribution $2.5-million in weapons, including machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and nine million rounds of ammunition, and humanitarian aid.
Has pledged to contribute a refuelling aircraft and military instructors.
Czech Republic
Contributed $1.5-million in humanitarian aid.
Has reportedly sent fighter jets and 500 tons of ammunition to Kurdish forces, including hand grenades, worth approximately $2-million.
Albania
Has promised to sent 22 million AK-47 rifle rounds, 15,000 grenades, and 32,000 artillery shells for Kurdish forces.
Estonia
Contributed $90,000 to support displaced Iraqis.
Provided one million machine gun cartridges, and a Hercules transport aircraft.
Hungary
Contributed $90,000 for Christians in Erbil, Iraq.
Provided seven million cartridges of ammunition, and thousands of mines and armour-piercing shells.
Turkey
Contributed more than $1.9-million in humanitarian aid to Turkmen in northern Iraq.
Funded the construction of a camp for 20,000 Iraqi Turkmen.
Has agreed to allow US and Arab forces to use air bases in the country to bomb ISIL.
Turkey, however, has faced international criticism for its refusal to provide military support to Kurdish forces fighting for the Syrian town of Kobani, close to the Turkish border, despite ramping up its military presence along its Syrian border.
Qatar
Sent six aircraft carrying 300 tons of humanitarian aid.
Passed a new law to stop charities diverting money to ISIL.
Contributed to recent airstrikes in Syria.
Original Article
Source: hilltimes.com/
Author: Laura Ryckewaert
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