Paris attacks: Philippe Couillard asks for international co-operation

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard believes the international community, including Canada, must respond accordingly to the Paris attacks, which saw terrorists kill 127 people Friday.

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Couillard criticized what he described as the "failure of the unilateral approach in trying to solve the Iraq-Syria question," and re-affirmed his position that the world should work together to fightISIS.

In 2014, he supported former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to join the combat mission against ISIS.

On Nov.6, Prime Minister Justin Trudeauwrote to Defence Minister HarjitSajjanstating that Canada's top priority is to end Canada's combat mission in Iraq and Syriaand pull Canada out of the anti-ISIS coalition.

The worst we can do is put up a banner saying, "No to refugees."I'dlike a banner saying, "We can take you in our society and treat you better."- Philippe Couillard

"We have to be part of aninternationalcoalition, aninternationalmovement and play the role that ourpartnerswant us to play, andI'msure mostCanadianswill agree with this," he said.

Couillard made the comments at a media scrum before the start of the provincial Liberals' general council meeting inQuebec City Saturday morning, stressing repeatedly that he hoped that Syrian refugees coming to the province should not be scapegoated by misdirected wrath.

"The people coming to Quebec and Canada are themselves victims. Some have seenparents die before their eyes. They come here for freedom," he said.

"The worst we can do is put up a banner saying, 'No to refugees.' I'dlike a banner saying, 'We can take you in our society and treat you better.'"

Couillard also said that he hoped that anti-Muslim sentiment would not flare up in Quebec as a result of the Paris attacks.

"Every society has its demons. We have our own and they are similar to othersocietiesthat's why its importantfor other leader to step forward and say no toxenophobia andracism yes to security," said Couillard.

"This movement has shown its capacity to hit at many places at the same time,so we must besafe andyet sill keep our liberties," he said.

Couillardsaid that Quebecers are being kept safe."The security forces are already on high alert. I wont give details," he said. "When we face a mortal enemy, we have to fight it with proportional force."

Terrorist alert level low

The terrorist alert level has been set at A in Quebec, which is considered one of the lowest, according to Municipal Affairs Minister Pierre Moreau.

The designation means thatMontreal police, provincial police and RCMP are sharing more information than usualand keeping a close eye on social media and suspicious movements.

"People can feel safe because there's no indication of a higher-than-usual terrorist threat on our territory," said Moreau.

He echoed Couillard's reassurances that Syrian refugees coming to Quebec should not be subject to undue suspicions following the Paris attacks.

Moreau could not provide specific details of what type of investigation process that federal authorities would subject the the incoming refugees to.