Canada's ISIS fight stance understood by U.S. senators at Halifax meeting

U.S. senators attending a global security meeting in Halifax say they should be able to work out a strategy with Canada as the new Liberal government moves forward with plans to halt aerial bombing of ISIS in the Mideast.

Following meetings Saturday, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine told reporters he understands why the Liberals are standing by their decision to stop the airstrikes, given it was a promise during Canada's recent federal election. 

"We understand: You make a pledge, you make a promise, you live through it. But what we were able to do this morning was say, 'OK, walk us through what are people thinking about these issues, why is this the party's position, explain it to us,'" he said.

Several U.S. senators met with Canada's new defence minister, Harjit Sajjan, on Saturday at the Halifax International Security Forum, providing one of the first opportunities for the two governments to compare and discuss policies. 

The annual conference usually covers a broad range of international conflicts. This year, with nearly 300 delegates from at least 60 countries discussing global security issues, the topics are focused on the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Syrian refugee crisis.

Kaine said ongoing communication between the two countries will be important. 

"With the idea of North American security, the more we're letting you know, the way we're looking at this, the more the new government is sharing with us the approach here, we will be able to figure out a way to make this work together," Kaine said. 

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said he's happy to hear Canada is committed to fighting ISIS.

"What we've heard here this week is a resolute commitment by the Canadian government, the new Canadian government, to continue as a partner with the United States and the multilateral coalition" to fight ISIS, he said. 

'We don't work alone'

Sajjan, speaking to media on Friday, said airstrikes by Canadian jets will soon end, and an expanded training mission will begin.

"We don't fight alone, we don't work alone. And we work as part of a coalition. And when we understand the problem set, each nation has different skillsets to bring to the table. And we will be offering up our skillset," he said.

Over half of state governors have spoken out against accepting refugees, as have some Republican presidential candidates.

The House of Representatives passed a bill this week to suspend U.S. President Barack Obama's program to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees next year and then intensify security screenings for those entering.   

But Sajjan said taking in refugees actually helps the fight against ISIS.  

"By doing our part, for this, we are actually hitting ISIS in a different way, which we know from our experience in Afghanistan." 

The security forum concludes Sunday.