Trudeau says path to peace in Syria doesn't include Assad

Canada is open to increasing its sanctions against Russia and believes there's no place for Syria's president in the future of the war-ravaged country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. 

The tough line came after a weekend of conversations with the leaders of France and Britain and as Trudeau toured both First and Second World War battlefields.

The U.S. and Britain are actively investigating whether Russia helped make possible last week's chemical weapons attack in Syria, which killed at least 70 people, including 10 children.

It is widely believed that President Bashar al-Assad's regime was behind the atrocity. The U.S. fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles into the air base where the attack was thought to have originated. 

• U.S. open to further strikes in Syria
• UN says action in Syria must comply with international law
• Assad focused on victory over rebels

Moscow has stood by its ally and warned the Trump administration against any further action.

At the same time, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is expected to push at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Rome on Monday for further sanctions against Russia, adding to ones imposed because of the crisis in Ukraine.

Trudeau says Canada stands ready to do what is necessary.

Strengthened sanctions?

"I think Russia needs to be made aware of its responsibility in the bloody actions last week by the Assad regime," Trudeau said at the end of his trip to France marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

"And therefore, we are always open to working with our friends, allies and partners to send messages through sanctions and other means to Russia."

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