I. Canadian Priorities: Reporting Progress

By integrating our civilian and military efforts in Kandahar, and strengthening the Canadian embassy in Kabul, Canada is executing the engagement in Afghanistan for best effect—and for measurable results by 2011. (Canadian civilians serving in Afghanistan during the quarter numbered about 100.). Canada’s overarching objective is to help Afghans rebuild their country as stable, democratic and self-sufficient. While development in the midst of conflict faces countless impediments, Canada’s soldiers and civilians are committed to the implementation of this core objective in order to protect the security not only of Afghanistan, but also of Canada and its allies.

Six specific priorities define the Canadian engagement: enable the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in Kandahar to sustain a safer environment and promote law and order; strengthen Afghan institutional capacity to deliver basic services; provide humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable people; enhance border security with facilitation of Afghan-Pakistani dialogue; help advance Afghanistan’s capacity for democratic governance; and facilitate Afghan-led political reconciliation.

Progress in each of these priorities contributes to—and is reinforced by—progress in all the others. With Canadian support, the ANSF’s capacity to provide security in Kandahar has improved significantly. As a result, the ANSF are becoming more able to provide safer spaces for development and for the exercise of better governance. Deeper dialogue between Afghans and Pakistanis can lead to joint management and development along their border. Effective humanitarian action honours a compelling moral duty and creates better conditions for future development, while the provision of basic services can help bolster the relationship between Afghans and their government.

Clear benchmarks allow Parliament and Canadians to gauge whether, and how, progress on our priorities is actually being made. For this report, after almost a year of benchmarking experience, some of these benchmarks and their indicators have been updated with new or expanded performance measures. The changes are identified in this section.