The Centre for Conflict Studies will hold its annual conference at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada, 14-15 October 2005.
The purpose of the conference is to answer the question: In what cases (if any), under what circumstances, and with what effects has sub-state terrorism ever exercised a decisive influence on the course of modern history?
For more information contact:
Dr. David Charters, Centre for Conflict Studies
University of New Brunswick
by email: [email protected] or by fax: 506-447-3175
Edmonton United Services Institute
SYMPOSIUM 2005 "Canada's Role in the War on Terrorism"
Executive Summary
SYMPOSIUM 2005 was conducted on 12 February 2022 at the Edmonton Petroleum Club. Organized and hosted by the Edmonton United Services Institute, the Symposium addressed the subject: "Canada's Role in the War on Terrorism". Approximately 125 civilians and serving military Officers attended.
Speaker: Dr. Gavin Cameron, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary.
Dr. Cameron characterized Canadian participation in the Global War on Terror as "cooperative ambivalence". Canadians do not see the issue as a Canadian issue but rather as an American issue. The use of Canada as a haven for terrorist fundraising and logistical support is apparent in the past, but is less clear in the present, not least because the Canadian government has taken a number of critical actions, such as enacting Bill C-36, that do reflect Canada's engagement.
Speaker: Mr. Graham Thomson, Columnist with the Edmonton Journal.
Mr. Thomson made the point that the media should not act as a public relations arm of the government and therefore it is not up to the media to educate the Canadian public on threat issues but rather on our politicians and institutions such as the military to be more forthcoming with information. The tendency towards secrecy must be balanced with the public need to know.
Speaker: Dr. Robert Huebert, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary.
Our political and corporate elites do not see terrorism as a threat to Canada outside of its impact on our trade relationship with the United States. Canadians are in a state of denial over the level of terrorist activity within our borders, whether that be Islamic extremists, Tamil Tigers, or Sikh terrorists (the Air India incident was the largest terrorist act prior to 911). Dr. Huebert also emphasized that the government has taken huge steps since 911 to put emergency response infrastructure in place, but as time passes since the last terrorist action in Canada, resolve may slip.
Speaker: LCol Brian Hodgson:
LCol Hodgson recapped his experience as Canadian Strategic Advisor to the US Commander in Afghanistan. The US is prepared for a long term struggle and is committing resources on an unprecedented scale to the Global War on Terror. A desirable and influential role for Canada is to seek involvement at command levels in order to shape and influence American strategic thought.
All of the speakers were very well received and the roundtable indicated a very high level of audience engagement in the subject.
The EUSI considers this event an outstanding success in meeting our mandate for public education by bringing some much needed perspective on Canada's Role in the War on Terrorism.
The thanks of the Board of Governors is extended to all participants.
LCol (ret) Colin W. Reichle CD
President, Edmonton United Services Institute