The government current policy on this issue is correct, WE DON'T PAY RANSOM TO TERRORIST'S.  When Canadians travel, don't go to places the government says to stay out of, if you do and bad things happen, then its all on the travelers plate.   We cannot finance terrorism, kidnapping is one of the main sources of revenue for terrorists.   To defeat terrorism we have to remove their money supply, this is one way we can do it.    If those people are smart and want to stay alive then appear as if they are willing to convert to Islam.  It'll keep them alive until they can find a way home safely.