The debate over Canada’s participation in the air strike mission against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is likely to get hotter as the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper decided to extend the battle until March 31, 2016. The decision received sharp of criticism in the House of Commons Wednesday. The opposition leaders, Thomas Mulcair and Stephen Harper have shared their dissatisfaction with the plan and raised questions around its legal aspects. It is not clear whether Canada is allowed to carry out airstrikes in Syria under the international law without the consent of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Though Canadian warplanes were not allowed in Iraq previously, and only the U.S. and five allied Arab countries had the permission to operate from the air space over Syria, the Canadian government refused to seek the Syrian authorities' permission to drop bombs, considering the Syrian President has already lost his legitimacy. In fact, the Prime Minister ridiculed those opposing the decision by saying he isn’t worried about “lawyers from ISIL taking the government of Canada to court.”

However, media reports suggested, both the New Democrats and the Liberals believe Canada should concentrate more on improving its humanitarian and diplomatic measures, while indicating they will definitely vote against the motion. The Prime Minister said, last October when he spoke about the need to join hands with the international communities to fight against the ISIS, the House appreciated that.

While opposing the plan, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said, as per the Article 51 of the United Nations’ Charter, the U.S. has written to the UN Secretary-General defining a legal case for their intervention in Syria. Mr. Mulcair asked whether the Canadian PM has also laid out a similar proposal to justify his proposed move in Syria.

To which, the Prime Minister replied, "If [Mulcair] is suggesting that there is any significant legal risk to lawyers from ISIL taking on the Government of Canada and winning, the Government of Canada's view is the chances of that is negligible."

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