Prime Minister Harper Visits Afghanistan

Stephen Harper's first international trip as prime minister of Canada was a surprise visit to Canadian troops in Afghanistan. In his speech to Canadian soldiers at an airfield outside Kandahar on March 13, Harper made it clear that the time for debate about the Canadian deployment of troops to Afghanistan is past. Canadian opposition parties have been pressuring the Conservatives to have a parliamentary debate on Canada's role in Afghanistan.

Canada began its military involvement in Afghanistan in October 2001 with a naval task force in the Persian Gulf. This spring, Canada took on a major role in southern Afghanistan with about 2000 Canadian Forces personnel based near Kandahar. Canada has also made major financial commitments to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and representatives from other Canadian government departments, not just National Defence, are in Afghanistan helping with the reconstruction efforts. Twelve Canadians have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

More on Canada in Afghanistan

Rebuilding Afghanistan - Foreign Affairs Canada

Canada in Afghanistan - CBC News Online

Media, Politicians Share Blame - The Hill Times

A Question of Honour - Rex Murphy, CBC The National