Why did Canada refuse to join the Iraq War when many allies said yes?
The answer wasn’t simple—it was shaped by law, strategy, and public opinion.
Canada prioritized multilateralism, arguing that the invasion lacked authorization from the United Nations. At the same time, doubts were already emerging about claims of weapons of mass destruction—claims that would later prove unfounded.
And with Canadian forces already deployed to Afghanistan, opening a second major conflict raised serious concerns.
Even at home, most Canadians opposed joining the war without UN backing.
In the end, Canada said no—but that didn’t mean it stayed completely out.
👉 Follow for Part 3 — Canada’s lesser-known role in the conflict.
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One of the coldest political betrayals of the Second World War happened not on the battlefield but in the cabinet room.
In this episode of Well, That Didn’t Suck, we tell the story of James Ralston’s clash with Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King during the Second World War. Ralston believed Canada needed conscription to keep exhausted troops fighting in Europe. King feared conscription would tear the country apart.
A story of wartime politics, integrity, and one of the most dramatic showdowns in Canadian history.
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Sponsored by @trentUniversity and the CIHE
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