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Prime Minister Chrétien's Speech Declaring Canada's Position on the Invasion of Iraq
  • On March 17, 2003, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated in the House of Commons that Canada would not join the US-led war in Iraq after President George W. Bush gave the UN Security Council (UNSC) a 24-hour ultimatum to approve the resolution to invade Iraq.
  • This was a controversial decision made by Chrétien, as many feared the decision would isolate Canada even further from foreign affairs and others believed it would tarnish the relationship with the United States.
  • This is the official record of the debate in the House of Commons regarding Iraq on March 17, 2003, where Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said "if military action proceeds without a new resolution of the Security Council, Canada will not participate."
  • Thus, since the resolution did not pass in UNSC, Canada did not participate in the war.
Citation

Canada. House of Commons Debates, 17 March 2003 (Right Hon. Jean Chrétien (Prime Minister), Lib.). https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/37-2/house/sitting-71/hansard#Int-452531

Further Readings

For more information on Canada refusing to take part in the Iraqi war: https://natoassociation.ca/why-canada-really-didnt-go-to-iraq-in-2003/

For a Global News report on  the tenth anniversary of Chrétien's decision to keep Canada out of the conflict: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waj60i0CD3Y

Overlapping Topics
Military, Defence, and Peacekeeping
Policy Type
House of Commons Debate