MP Gallant Supports Independent, Non-Partisan Panel on the Future of Afghanistan

October 19, 2007

Ottawa, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke today called on her fellow Parliamentarians to join reasonable Canadians and support the efforts of the independent, non partisan panel to advise the Government of Canada what our future role should be in Afghanistan.

“The current leader of the opposition wants to forget that it was the previous government, of which he was a member, that put us in Afghanistan. History will be the judge of the characterization by his former leader that fatalities among Canadian soldiers are a result of decisions made while he was in government. The time has come to put aside the petty squabbling that is going on in his party, and work together for the good of all Canadians and the Afghan people,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP.

“I, for one am proud of the work of our women and men in uniform. If the opposition felt the same way as most Canadians, they would put aside their partisan attacks and let the panel chaired by former liberal cabinet Minister John Manley do its job.”
Hansard, Oct 19, 2007

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative):
Mr. Speaker, Canada is in Afghanistan along with 60 other nations and international organizations as part of a UN sanctioned mission to help build a stable, democratic and self-sustaining society.

Canada has shown leadership by committing development assistance and deploying diplomats, development workers, troops and civilian police to help the Afghan government secure a better future for its people.

Canadians understand that without security there can be no humanitarian aid, no reconstruction and no democratic development.

The Canadian approach focuses on enabling Afghan leadership. Through training, including the Afghan national police and army, we are passing on skills that will allow Afghanistan to progressively assume responsibility for defending its sovereignty.

This will not be completed by February 2009, but we believe this objective should be achievable by 2011. That is why the government has appointed an independent panel to advise Canadians on how best to proceed, given these considerations.

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For More Information Please Call Cheryl Gallant, M.P. at (613) 732-4404