Paris attacks, refugee security to dominate Halifax International Security Forum

HALIFAX – Last weeks attacks in Paris will be the hot topic of discussion at the seventh annual Halifax International Security Forum this weekend.

“The world is becoming increasing dangerous,” Peter Van Praagh said Thursday.

Van Praagh is the forum president, and says the Paris attacks have shifted the focus of the forum.

READ MORE: How the ‘Peace For Paris’ image went viral following the Paris attacks

The attacks and the containment of ISIS will now be a major conversation among leaders who are facing pressure to take action in the middle east.

“Conversations about ISIS are now more of a priority. Conversations are going to continue to include military strategy. What is the strategy? Does it include more troops? Does it include more air power?,” said Van Praagh.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Conversations about ISIS are now more of a priority. Conversations are going to continue to include military strategy. What is the strategy? Does it include more troops? Does it include more air power?," said Van Praagh.

Over 300 military and political leaders along with policy experts from around the world will be at the forum.

The Nova Scotia RCMP will be providing heightened security for the event.

“When we have a large scale event such as the Halifax International Security Forum, the RCMP continually monitors the environment to assess if there are any threats or anything of that nature,” said RCMP spokesperson Const. Mark Skinner.

The agenda will also include discussion on security issues involving Russia and China, how to stop the financing of terrorism and the security involved with relocating thousands of Syrian refugees all over the world, including here in the Nova Scotia.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia confident Ottawa will handle security concerns around refugee plan

The forum will also mark the first major public address for Canada’s new defence minister, Harjit Sajjan.

“It’s an opportunity for him to articulate Canada’s vision for the defence department. And its also an opportunity to listen to his colleagues from ministries of defence, ” Van Praagh said.

The Halifax International Security Forum runs from November 20-22.