"The war has started we hope it will be brief with a minimum of casualties on both sides. At this point, I think there is no use debating the reasons why some people think war is necessary and some people think it is not. We should not say anything that would comfort Saddam Hussein.

The government of Canada is concerned with the safety of all Canadians. I want to assure everyone that we are continuing to take all necessary measures to protect Canadians and ensure our security. We are working closely with American authorities to ensure that our border crossings remain safe and efficient.

We think about the safety and security of our troops who are performing indispensable tasks in the fight against international terrorism in the Gulf region.

The government is already working closely with the international community at the multilateral level to start reconstructing Iraq post-war."