Foreword

In accordance with the motion passed by the House of Commons on March 13, 2008, we are honoured to place before Parliament this fifth quarterly report on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan. This report addresses the period April 1 to June 30, 2009.

Our report for this quarter focuses on the progress achieved during the reporting period, on advancing Canada’s six priorities and three signature projects in Afghanistan.

Last year, we introduced benchmarks by which parliamentarians and Canadians can assess progress in each of our six mission priorities. To complement these, and to reflect changing circumstances in Afghanistan, we have introduced some additional benchmarks and progress indicators that are being reported on for the first time, and have refined some existing ones. All additions are noted in the Appendix.

Since the reporting period ended on June 30, 2009, there have been several significant developments in Afghanistan. Additional U.S. soldiers, marines and civilians have arrived in Afghanistan and especially in Kandahar, continuing the trend that began during the quarter. Their presence will bring significant new resources to Kandahar province and allow the Canadian Forces to concentrate their efforts on Kandahar City and its populated approaches.

On August 20, with the support of Canada and the international community, the Afghan people voted in the first Afghan-led democratic presidential and provincial council elections since the fall of the Taliban. The men and women of Afghanistan who exercised their right to vote are a testimony to their determination to build the foundations of their democracy. The elections and the results will be discussed in our next quarterly report.

Since the end of the quarter, anticipated violence in the lead-up to the elections occurred in Kabul and the countryside, including a violent insurgent attack in Kandahar province just days after the elections. We strongly condemned these attacks. At the same time, we commend the Afghan National Security Forces for their role in providing security for voters.

In the face of increased violence, the hard work and resolve of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and all our civilian staff have not wavered. We applaud our soldiers and civilians who serve under extremely difficult conditions in Afghanistan. In particular, and on behalf of all Canadians, we honour the soldiers and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the soldiers and civilians who were wounded.

Our next report will cover the period July 1 to September 30, 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

The Honourable Peter Van Loan
Minister of Public Safety