We use the word “terrorism” so frequently in this brutal age in which we live. That word brings up for us images of Middle Eastern villages and non-democratic regimes far from our shores. Thankfully, here in Canada, we can discuss these issues in relative security…for now.

The bombs are dropping far away. We don’t hear them through our bedroom windows. We don’t have to walk past a "real" destroyed building or deal with a "real" maimed person on our sidewalk.

The beheadings—as gruesome as they are—are only pictures on the news. Unlike the villagers in Iraq, we can change the channel. We don’t hear "real" bullets. We don’t see "real" bodies.

9/11 has slipped into the past…A memory. London bombings? A memory.

We’re much more civilized in Canada anyway. We’ve seen radical Canadian protesters throw pies, not hand grenades to register political dissent. Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Former Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Former Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, and Former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, all were victims of this "Terror Canadian Style."

But that was then. This is now! Canadian values, morals, traditions and rules of social engagement do not seem to be reflected in the territory claimed by ISIS. What is unthinkable for us has become all too common in other regions dominated by other world views.

We can hide our heads in the sand and pretend that what happens in the world doesn’t affect us…but it does!

Canadian headlines don’t talk of "pieing" anymore. Now, they look more ominous. “Islamic State Group Threatens Canadians,” CTV tells  us. “ISIS urges Jihadists to Attack Canadians,” the National Post warns us. Global News, The Sun, The Star, etc., all tell us that we are being threatened with a nastier form of protest." Do we believe them?

Consider for a moment, a terrorist attack of 9/11 proportions on Canada. Would we be shocked and surprised should that happen? Afterwards, would we call for political action because of wartime casualty numbers inflicted on the Canadian civilian population?

The truth is that in retrospect of such a disaster we would demand answers of our government— and rightly so—because it would be obvious that they would have failed in their responsibility to protect Canadians. But looking forward from here, we cannot fathom having to live as they do in Israel. Recently a young boy in a Tel Aviv suburb noticed a bag sitting unattended on a bus. After he raised the alarm, the last person was evacuated from the bus three minutes before it blew up.  Are we ready to become that aware of our surroundings? It’s a pity that anyone, especially a child, should have to live like that; but for them, it has become a question of survival.

Is this the future of Canada? Shouldn’t we consider protecting ourselves from "going there" as a nation?

Our government is charged with protecting Canadians. Canadians now live under a threat of violence against civilians. Let’s not live in fear! Let’s deal with a terrorist threat before it is carried out in Canada.

Police, army, and civilians must all be educated and aware of terrorist threats; we need not live under a cloud of fear but we must be proactive in protecting ourselves from threats and terror at home.

Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party, may be willing to risk Canadian lives by ministering to the damaged psyche of a terrorist. His initial thoughts on the Boston Marathon Bombing were not for the victims, rather for the bomber, who, he said, “…feels completely excluded. Completely at war with innocents.”

Thomas Mulcair, leader of the NDP, seems to believe it’s better to wait until terrorism hits Canadian soil rather than acting to keep it far from Canadian shores. He doesn’t want us drawn into a quagmire that could go on for years like the “war on terror” that has wearied the United States.

The shocking fact is that our armed forces are small by comparison and poorly equipped even to defend our own borders. Knowing this, it is wise for us to ensure that the terrorist threat does not reach Canadian soil.

Our policy 2.1.4 reads, “We affirm that an important task of the armed forces should also be to help preserve international peace and to provide assistance and services in domestic and foreign disaster situations.”

The Middle East situation is not a war on a country in an attempt to subvert their independence. Rather it is an international effort to prevent a cancer from spreading. A cancer that has overthrown sovereign governments, maimed and killed civilian men, women and children, and has shamelessly used its brutal terrorist tactics and outrageous propaganda to pose a viable threat to other countries…including Canada.

One way the Christian Heritage Party would defend our country is by restricting immigration from nations hostile to Canadian values and democracy. Canada should be a place of opportunity for those who cherish freedom and democracy, not a hotbed for terrorist recruitment and training. We need to resist terrorism abroad and prevent its growth within our borders.

Our call to Canadians is this: If you value your freedoms and you value your heritage, help us protect them for the generations to come. If you are not a member of CHP Canada, join us today.

If you are already a member, let’s together face Canada’s challenges by equipping the party with the funds to grow so that we can bring our message to Canadians. Donate today!

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