Canada's Mission In Afghanistan

Posted by Laura Steiner May 19, 2009

Canada has been in Afghanistan since 2002. Most of that time we have been there in a combat role, fighting in the southern end of the country near Kandahar, and doing reconstruction work such as rebuilding schools, and dams. According to a Parliamentary vote, the military mission is set to end in 2011, but recently the federal government has begun signaling it might be willing to extend the mission but in a more humanitarian role.

A recent poll showed Canadians to be divided on the matter. Some think Canada should extend beyond 2011, others want the troops immediately brought home. Canada is traditionally associated with peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts; the combat role never sat well with some people. A return to those activites may appease Canadians who don't want to extend the mission.

The Russians showed in the 1970's there is no graceful way for an occupying army to exit Afghanistan. Perhaps extending the mission in that humanitarian role could be the way to withdraw. We work with the Afghan government on rebuilding the country, and as the country grows stronger we begin bringing the troops home.

We have fulfilled our responsibility as a member of the international community in a combat role for Afghanistan. But as Peter MacKay says there is still a lot of work to be done after 2011. Canada was among the NATO countries who started the mission, shouldn't we help finish it? Don't we owe it to Afghanistan, to the surrounding region to leave the country as stable as is can be?

Canada has the opportunity here to make the deaths of 117 soldiers count for something positive, why shouldn't we take it?

Extending the mission is something that should be considered, but we must respect the will of Parliament- if our MP's say no, then bring the troops home. But we should at least discuss it.

To find out more see: MacKay Hints At Extending Afghanistan Committment