Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has spoken to members of his national security team to ensure the safety of Canadians in the wake of a series of attacks that saw dozens of people killed in Paris Friday night.
“These terrorist attacks are deeply worrying and obviously unsettling to people around the world,” Trudeau said before leaving for the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey.
“We will keep people apprised as more unfolds but I have been speaking with our national security team to ensure that everything is being done to keep people safe.”
Trudeau expressed solidarity with Canada’s “French cousins” and said Canada has offered all possible assistance to the government of France in wake of the siege at a concert hall in Paris.
“We have offered all of our help and support to the government of France, to the people of France at this time. And we’ll continue to engage with our allies around the world in ensuring the safety of Canadians and others both here at home and around the world.”
French President François Hollande declared a state of emergency and said the country was shutting its borders in an effort to catch the attackers.
Trudeau, who has vowed to pull out Canada’s fighter jets from the U.S.-led bombing mission against ISIS in Iraq, was asked whether the events in Paris would cause him to reconsider his decision.
“It is still very early moments in figuring out what is indeed happening as we speak right now on the ground in France,” Trudeau said. “It’s too soon to jump to any conclusions.”
“But obviously, governments have a responsibility to keep their citizens safe while defending our rights and freedoms. And that balance is something that the Canadian government and indeed all governments around the world will be focusing on.”
Trudeau said the government had no information that Canadians were either “targeted or involved” in these events.
Source: CBCNews
