Afghanistan

February 22, 2008

Many opinions and views on Canada’s mission in Afghanistan have been expressed. I would like to review a little history of the mission with you regarding Canada’s involvement.

Canada committed to the United Nations Afghanistan Mission in 2002 when the former Liberal government, through an Order in Cabinet authorized sending Canadian Forces to the most volatile Province – Kandahar. The purpose of the mission was to secure the country to allow on-going humanitarian work to proceed and allow time for the government of Afghanistan to re-build security infrastructure.

In 2006 our new Conservative Government recognized that Canadian Forces were sent into this area ill-equipped. Our government set out to purchase modern armored vehicles, tanks, aircraft and helicopters to ensure our men and women were equipped to protect themselves in modern combat situations. Next, the Conservative Government received a request from the President of Afghanistan to extend our mission past 2007. Our government did not authorize this extension in Cabinet but rather tabled the order in the House of Commons where it was debated and voted on. The Bill was passed and the mission was extended to 2009.

In the fall of 2007, the President of Afghanistan again requested that Canada stay beyond our 2009 commitment. Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted a third opinion on this mission, so he asked the former Liberal Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable John Manley, to head a panel of eminent Canadians to examine Canada’s role in Afghanistan. The Manley Report was tabled and a number of recommendations were made. One of the recommendations – “Canada should continue the Afghan mission, under the condition that the United Nations send 1,000 combat troops to the Kandahar Province to assist the Canadian Forces.” Currently, our government is trying to secure this commitment from the United Nations.

I want to assure my constituents that the humanitarian and infrastructure work being accomplished in Afghanistan is due to our Canadian Forces being able to secure the area. Progress is being made!

Remember, this is not a peacekeeping mission. The Taliban insurgents are at war with anyone who will not submit to their doctrine. There is no truce, no peace agreement to enforce or monitor by UN Peace Keeping Forces. The Canadian Forces and the UN are there to stand beside the Afghan people to ensure their freedom.