Foreword
In accordance with the motion passed by the House of Commons on March 13, 2008, we are honoured to place before Parliament this quarterly report on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan.
One year ago, the Honourable John Manley and the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan recommended measures to bring greater effectiveness to our engagement in Afghanistan, and to communicate the results to Parliament and Canadians. On the Panel’s advice, the Prime Minister established the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan; Parliament created a committee on our Afghan engagement; a task force was created within the Privy Council Office dedicated to this mission; and we have more closely coordinated diplomatic, development and security operations. In quarterly reports, we are recording in detail the progress of the mission.
This report addresses the quarter ending December 31, 2008. Since that quarter, significant progress has been achieved in advancing Canada’s priorities. The Canadian International Development Agency announced that two Canadian companies, SNC-Lavalin and Hydrosult, will manage the rehabilitation of the Dahla Dam and irrigation system in Kandahar, a Canadian signature project. As well, during a visit to Afghanistan in January 2009, the Honourable Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced an additional contribution of $14 million in humanitarian assistance.
January saw the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, the largest of our coalition partners in Afghanistan. Members of the Obama administration have declared their intention to refocus U.S. resources on the threat posed by the insurgency in Afghanistan, and on revitalizing Afghanistan’s economic development. The deployment of additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan can greatly improve prospects for security in Afghanistan and the region, and we look forward to cooperating with the new administration.
Insurgent violence in Afghanistan, and specifically in Kandahar where we have concentrated much of Canada’s engagement, intensified during this past quarter. The cost, in Canadian lives lost, has been painful. With all Canadians, we salute every member of the Canadian Forces who has fought in Afghanistan. And we grieve with every family in mourning.
Our next report will cover the quarter that ends March 31, 2009.
The Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs
