As early as next week, the House of Commons will be voting on a motion regarding the future of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. I know that my constituents have strong feelings about this deployment and I wanted to take the opportunity to provide some helpful information.
Since the Conservative Government was elected into office in 2006, Canada is united, independent, and this country is once again asserting ourselves internationally. The rest of the world has taken notice of Canada’s renewed strength. Our allies recognize Canada’s determination to shoulder our international responsibilities around the world by maintaining a strong presence on the global stage and by keeping our commitments.
In many cases, that ‘presence’ is promoted by our Canadian Forces. For that reason, our Conservative Government has focused on rebuilding the military, ensuring that our soldiers, sailors and airmen and women have the resources they need to do their jobs.
I believe that all Canadians are proud of the job their Forces have done during our military involvement in southern Afghanistan. The men and women of our military are serving bravely and sacrificing much, both to ensure the security of Canadians here at home and abroad, and so that the people of Afghanistan can have a better future. Their efforts are paying off. Space does not permit a comprehensive listing of the positive changes the Canadian presence has created, but some of the highlights are:
- more than six million children (one third of them girls) enrolled in school in 2007-2008. In 2001, 700,000 children in school – but only boys.
- canada directly supports the establishment of 4,000 community –based schools and the training of 9,000 teachers (4,000 of them women); 120,000 children will benefit (85% of them girls).
- per capita income has doubled between 2004 and 2007.
- almost 6,000 km of roads are being built or refurbished nationwide.
- 167 District Development Assemblies established in 18 of 34 provinces;
- 83% of Afghans now have access to basic medical care (as compared to 9% in 2004)
- infant mortality rate is down 22% since 2001; 40,000 more babies survive every year;
- 4,000 new medical facilities have opened nationwide since 2004
- more than five million refugees have returned since 2002 (including more than 365,000 in 2007, with the assistance of the Canadian-supported United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees); and
- 90% of returnees find jobs within six months of their return.
The Prime Minister formed an Independent Task Force on Afghanistan late last year, asking them to report to the government on a ‘way forward’. The non-partisan Manley Report, as it has been informally titled, outlined a clear plan to ensure that Canada’s mission in Afghanistan has the best possible chance at success.
The Manley Report was clear that many things are required for the Afghanistan Mission to succeed. Canadian Forces must have access to improved equipment. Our NATO partners must provide additional reinforcements for Canadian soldiers. And the success of the mission must be measured by the success of reconstruction and training efforts on the ground.
After receiving the Report early in January, the Prime Minister analyzed the recommendations and began acting on them virtually immediately. He and our Foreign Affairs Minister began contacting other NATO countries and explaining the necessity of a truly international presence on the front lines in Afghanistan.
The Government has been cautiously encouraged by the Official Opposition’s response to the Manley report: offering to compromise on some of their previous demands.
Recognizing that we were coming to a crossroads regarding this NATO mission—we either stay and do the job we were given to do, or we leave—Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced a motion in the House of Commons to extend Canada’s commitment to the Afghanistan mission until the end of 2011, on the condition that Canada secures an international partner to supply troops and equipment to support the mission. This new consensus motion incorporates many of the remaining concerns raised by the Official Opposition while ensuring that the Canadian Forces have the mandate and support they require to make the Afghanistan mission a success.
Our Conservative Government has been clear—we want to work with the opposition parties to find a way forward on this debate.
The Afghanistan Mission is neither a Liberal mission, nor a Conservative mission, but instead, is a Canadian mission. With the men and women of the Canadian Forces serving bravely in Afghanistan, it is important for Canada’s political leaders to do all they can to achieve a sustainable consensus on the future of the mission.
The Conservative Government is optimistic that, by accommodating the remaining concerns of the Official Opposition, politics will not be a factor in the future of the Afghanistan Mission. Instead Canadians can focus their attention on doing all we can to ensure our men and women in Afghanistan succeed.
Canadians are serving bravely and sacrificing much so that the Afghan people can have a better future. We hope that, when the time comes, Opposition MPs will themselves show the courage to stand up for what is right.
