Is Canada right to urge Canadians in Syria to leave?

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird warned that sanctions imposed by the Arab League mean commercial travel will become increasingly difficult. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced a voluntary evacuation of Canadians in Syria Thursday, saying the government may not be able to help them in the near future as security concerns in the country ramp up.

"The time to leave Syria is now," Baird said at a news conference in Ottawa.

He urged the estimated 5,000 Canadians to leave now, while commercial flights are still available and embassy officials are able to provide assistance. The embassy is not currently scheduled to close.

Sanctions imposed by the Arab League have made commercial travel in and out of the country increasingly difficult. Baird said the time might come when the government can't easily help Canadians to return home.

The situation in Syria has become increasingly violent. The UN estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed since protests began in the country in March.

Is Canada right to urge Canadians in Syria to leave? Why or why not? Should Baird have urged them to leave earlier? Let us know in the comments section below.


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