The federal government is poised to launch an extremely important debate – what should Canada’s future role be in the Afghanistan conflict?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked former Liberal Deputy Prime Minister John Manley last October to lead an independent panel of eminent Canadians to examine how Canada should proceed in Afghanistan. Our mission deserves a level of debate, insight and analysis beyond partisan politics. The panel members recently presented the government with their balanced, thoughtful and comprehensive recommendations.

From the outset, Prime Minister Harper has told Canadians that the decision to send troops into harm’s way must not become a partisan debate based on political aspirations. All political parties should weigh the contents of the Manley report against the consequences of our involvement. The prime minister is discussing the way forward with the other political party leaders to determine the best policy direction for our country.

Canada has done much of the heavy lifting so far in Afghanistan and we are appealing to NATO for more involvement from other countries to share the load. Canadian troops have already scored major victories by helping the Afghan people with development projects, small business assistance and many other self-sufficiency incentives.

Prime Minister Harper expressed the country’s gratitude to Mr. Manley and the panel for a difficult job well done. The federal government has broadly accepted the panel’s conclusions, specifically the recommendation to extend Canada’s mission in Afghanistan if certain conditions are met. Canada wants to secure an international partner or partners in Kandahar province with additional combat troops and equipment capabilities. While the case for the Afghan mission is clearly compelling, the decision to allow our young men and women to face the perils of war will depend upon our ability to give them a strong chance of success.

The government agrees with the panel’s conclusion that a deadline cannot be imposed on when NATO will finish the job in Afghanistan, or when Afghans will be able to take responsibility for their own security. It is dangerous folly to announce to your enemy when you plan to head home. We also agree that Canada’s contribution should be reviewed within two to three years to assess progress based upon the panel’s benchmarks.

The safety of our troops and Canada’s reputation as an international contributor to human rights depend upon a degree of consensus at the federal level. We owe it to ourselves and the rest of the world to make our choices carefully, because it is our sons and daughters who must live, and perhaps die, by Parliament’s decision. I take this responsibility very seriously, and I urge my peers in all political parties to use their heads and hearts to decide Canada’s role in providing peace and security in this faraway land.

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