Tories' Latest Anti-Trudeau Ad Uses Images From ISIS Videos | HuffPost

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This is not the first time Tories have used terrorist propaganda to make a political point.

Ryan Maloney— The Huffington Post Canada

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If Justin Trudeau doesn't support bombing the Islamic State, is there any group he would confront with military action as prime minister?

It's a question the Liberal leader has faced since voting in the fall against Canada's combat mission against ISIS.

It's a question he's dismissed as nonsense.

But now it is featured in a new Conservative attack ad that uses images from recently released ISIS propaganda videos to try to paint the Liberal leader as unfit to lead.

The ad, released online Thursday, includes a clip from an interview Trudeau gave to CBC's Terry Milewski on "Power and Politics" this week, in which the Liberal leader was asked if he would halt the bombing against ISIS in Iraq and Syria if he becomes prime minister.

Trudeau said his party favours an enhanced humanitarian role in the region and military training.

"So, is that a yes? Pull out the CF-18s?" Milewski asked.

The Liberal leader replied that he'd move away from the bombing mission and have Canada's military focus on training local troops.

"Move away from the CF-18s. That is a yes, right? You will pull them out?" Milewski asked.

"Yes. It is a yes," Trudeau said.

Things got slightly tense minutes later when Milewski said that some "old-school Liberals" have been disappointed by Trudeau's decision.

"If you don't want to bomb a group as ghastly as ISIS, when would you ever support real military action as opposed to just training?" the host asked.

"Terry, that's a nonsensical question. You know that very well," Trudeau shot back. "The Liberal Party has always and I have always been supportive of Canada standing up for its values and taking action when necessary."

The Liberal leader said the Harper government has failed to demonstrate why bombing is necessary and hasn't been honest about the objectives and cost of the mission.

On Tuesday, the same day as that interview, ISIS released videos showing prisoners being drowned in cages, decapitated through the use of explosive devices, and burned alive.

The 45-second Tory ad features headlines reflecting the depravity of the ISIS clips, followed by one from from CBC News on Trudeau's commitment to stop the bombing. About 20 seconds of edited footage of Trudeau's exchange with Milewski is also shown. The clip ends with the tagline: "Just not ready."

The ad makes no mention of NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, whose party also voted against the combat mission.

Tories have also released a graphic to Twitter and Facebook that features an image of seven prisoners killed on camera by ISIS.

At an event in Quebec City Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he found it "very strange" that Trudeau made such remarks on Tuesday, the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

He accused both Trudeau and Mulcair of opposing the mission because of "irresponsible electoral politics."

Tories Also Sparked Controversy With Facebook Post On C-51

This is not the first time Tories have used terrorist propaganda to make a political point.

In March, a Facebook post on the official Conservative Party account featured a screengrab from a 77-minute video released by Somalia-based terror group al-Shabaab. The group, linked to al-Qaeda, attacked Kenya's Westgate Mall in September 2013 and murdered close to 70 people.

Near the end of the clip, a masked al-Shabaab spokesperson urges similar attacks on western shopping centres, including Alberta's West Edmonton Mall.

The Facebook post — which sparked accusations of fear-mongering and appears to have been deleted — stated that "Jihadi terrorists are threatening Canada" and asked followers to sign a petition on the Conservative website in support of Bill C-51, the anti-terrorism bill.

C-51, which received royal assent last week and is now the law of the land, makes encouraging or promoting terrorist attacks a criminal offence.

Trudeau's ISIS Position Also Challenged By Radio Host

Back in January, Trudeau faced a similar grilling in London, Ont. from AM980's Andrew Lawton, who repeatedly asked the Liberal leader under which circumstances he would view military action as warranted.

"Well, I think it is warranted if there is a reasonable chance of success," the Liberal leader said. "If there’s a way that Canada can offer expertise the rest of the world is unable to provide."

"Just to clarify, are you saying there's no chance of success with the fight against ISIS?" Lawton asked.

"I'm saying this is going to be a long, long challenge against ISIS and Canada's role in engaging with that needs to be best suited to what we can do better than other countries," Trudeau said.

Unsatisfied, Lawton asked if there is "any scenario" Trudeau could give where Canadian combat action would be warranted.

Trudeau said that "yes, there would be scenarios" but added any action would need the approval and support of Canadians.

"The fact is that Mr. Harper was misleading to Canadians when he assured us that there would be no ground combat against ISIS," he said.

Listen to the full interview below:

With previous files

EARLIER ON HUFFPOST:

Liberal Stalwarts On ISIL, Iraq

Bob Rae(01 of26)

Former interim leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaIn a column for The Globe and Mail, published two days before Liberals announced they would not back airstrikes against ISIL, Rae argued the Islamic State represents a "clear and present danger" and cautioned about comparing military intervention to the 2003 Iraq war."There are some who quite mistakenly compare any decision to engage militarily against IS with the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. This is hardly the same issue. The government of Iraq has asked for military assistance. The regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan has done the same. The Kurdish, Christian, and other minorities in northern Iraq and Syria are under siege. To equate this with the invasion of Iraq over a decade ago is wrong."READ the full column (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Lloyd Axworthy(02 of26)

Former Liberal foreign affairs ministerAxworthy told CTV News in September that ISIL terrorists "have to be whacked and whacked good." He expressed his full support for a combat mission."If you really want to stop them, you’re going to have to give a full-court press." (credit:The Canadian Press)

(03 of26)

A day after Liberals voted not to support ISIL airstrikes, Axworthy told The Globe and Mail he was disappointed."I was concerned, and I was surprised at the [Liberal] decision to be honest, because traditions and the history and the principles I think of the party were very much centred I think on this idea that part of our mandate, nationally, is to help protect innocent people," he said. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Ujjal Dosanjh(04 of26)

Former Liberal minister of healthDosanjh took to social media to express his disappointment after Liberals announced they would not support a combat mission."For me fighting forces such as ISIS is beyond partisan politics," he wrote. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Jean Lapierre(05 of26)

Former Liberal transport ministerLapierre told CJAD 800's Aaron Rand that he could not understand the Liberal decision, suggesting the party wanted Canada to be a "freeloader." "If I was sitting in the House of Commons today, I would support the government. We cannot sit on our hands and look at the parade and tell the rest of the world, 'go and defend our freedom, go make the sacrifices of your young men and women in uniform but we're not going to do anything ourselves.' We're a bunch of cowards to act like that, in my opinion."LISTEN: Lapierre's interview with Aaron Rand (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Romeo Dallaire(06 of26)

Former Liberal senator, retired lieutenant-generalDallaire told CBC Radio that he doesn't believe airstrikes will be enough in the battle against ISIS."I don't see how it's possible to contain ISIS without having boots on the ground," he said. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Former prime minister Jean Chretien(07 of26)

"If military action in Iraq is launched without a new U.N. resolution, Canada will not participate." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson))

Fomer Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper(08 of26)

"We should have been there shoulder to shoulder with our allies. Our concern is the instability of our government as an ally. We are playing again with national and global security matters." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson))

Stephen Harper, Stockwell Day in Wall Street Journal(09 of26)

"Today, the world is at war. A coalition of countries under the leadership of the U.K. and the U.S. is leading a military intervention to disarm Saddam Hussein. Yet Prime Minister Jean Chretien has left Canada outside this multilateral coalition of nations.This is a serious mistake. For the first time in history, the Canadian government has not stood beside its key British and American allies in their time of need." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Jonathan Hayward))

Former NDP leader Jack Layton(10 of26)

"We say to George Bush, as Canadians: Read our Canadian lips. We say peace. Not war." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn))

Former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe(11 of26)

"This war is not only pointless, it also represents a serious mistake. On this issue, we are solidly behind the government." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Fred Chartrand))

Former PC leader Joe Clark(12 of26)

"The prime minister is wrong to say that he alone is defending the United Nations. I think in fact he is stepping aside from an action that is legitimate under the United Nations." (credit:(Photo by Tibor Kolley))

Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci(13 of26)

"We would be there for Canada, part of our family, and that is why so many in the United States are disappointed and upset that Canada is not fully supporting us now." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan))

Former foreign affairs minister Bill Graham(14 of26)

"The decision we took does not reflect any illusions about the brutality of Saddam Hussein and his regime. It was a decision based on our judgment about the interest of Canadians in accordance with our principles and our deep and longstanding commitment to the United Nations and multilateral system and to the Security Council process." (credit:(CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan))

Former Ontario premier Ernie Eves(15 of26)

"We believe it is important to support our good American neighbours to the south as you have been our allies and our friends for many decades now." (credit:( Louie Palu / The Globe and Mail))

Former Alberta premier, Ralph Klein(16 of26)

"We recognize and appreciate the leadership role the U.S. has taken in the war on terrorism." (credit:(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds))

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney(17 of26)

"If I were still there, it would have been a different decision, I guarantee you that." (credit:(AP Photo/Joel Page))

Academic turned federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff(18 of26)

"I still think the President is right when he says that Iraq and the world will be better off with Saddam disarmed, even, if necessary, through force." (credit:(Photo by Tibor Kolley)

(19 of26)

The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke launches a Tomahawk cruise missile in the Red Sea, Sept. 23, 2014, to conduct strikes against Islamic State targets. (credit:Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II / U.S. Navy)

(20 of26)

The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea launches a Tomahawk cruise missile as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf, Sept. 23, 2014. (credit:Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Garst / U.S. Navy)

(21 of26)

U.S. sailors stand watch on the bridge while Tomahawk cruise missiles are launched aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea in the Persian Gulf, Sept. 23, 2014. (credit:Petty Officer 2nd Class Abe McNatt / U.S. Navy)

(22 of26)

An EA-6B Prowler attached to the Garudas of Electronic Attack Squadron 134 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf after conducting strike missions against Islamic State targets, Sept. 23, 2014. (credit:Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Stephens / U.S. Navy)

(23 of26)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 31 and an F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213 prepare to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf to conduct strike missions against Islamic State targets, Sept. 23, 2014. (credit:Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Burck / U.S. Navy)

(24 of26)

An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213 flies over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf after conducting strike missions against Islamic State targets, Sept. 23, 2014. (credit:Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Stephens / U.S. Navy)

(25 of26)

A before and after image of strikes on an Islamic State Command and Control center in Raqqah, Syria on Sep. 23, 2014. (credit:Department of Defense)

(26 of26)

A before and after image of strikes on an Islamic State finance center in Raqqah, Syria on Sep. 23, 2014. (credit:Department of Defense)

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