Allies Quote by Stephen Harper
“On the justification for the war, it wasn't related to finding any particular weapon of mass destruction. In our judgment, it was much more fundamental. It was the removing of a regime that was hostile, that clearly had the intention of constructing weapons systems. I think, frankly, that everybody knew the post-war situation was probably going to be more difficult than the war itself. Canada remains alienated from its allies, shut out of the reconstruction process to some degree, unable to influence events. There is no upside to the position Canada took.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press conference, Canada, 2003
Harper argues the war was justified not by WMDs but by the need to remove a hostile regime and prevent future threats, despite post‑war difficulties for Canada.
In simple terms: War justified by regime removal, not weapons.
Key Takeaway
Focus on preventing hostile regimes.
Themes
politics
war
international relations
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- government policy
- military intervention
- allied cooperation
- post‑war reconstruction
Key Concepts
realism
security dilemma
Questions to Reflect On
- Was military action the only option?
- How could Canada have mitigated its isolation?
A Different Perspective
The decision ignored potential diplomatic solutions and long‑term costs.
![“I think what everybody believes and agrees with, and to be frank myself, is that the current approach [to the drug trade] is not working, but it is not clear what we should do.” quote by Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cd/stephen-harper-3432_agree_i-think-what-everybody-believes-and-agre_145251.jpg)
![“After all, enforced national bilingualism in this country isn't mere policy. It has attained the status of a religion. It's a dogma which one is supposed to accept without question. [M]ake no mistake. Canada is not a bilingual country. In fact it is less bilingual today than it has ever been...As…” quote by Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ae/stephen-harper-3432_accepting_after-all-enforced-national-bilingualism_169327.jpg)
![“No wonder that Churchill described this effort [the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than the buzz bombs and the rockets that Werner von Braun designed for a German victory, a weapon absolutely decisive, in the judgement of…” quote by Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c3/peter-hilton-61015_allies_no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this_4600.jpg)
