Canada extends Afghan mission

by amyjudd | March 13, 2008 at 08:55 pm | 272 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

Tribute to the fallen canadians in afghanistan

Canada's House of Commons voted today to extend their mission in Afghanistan until 2011. However, they did situplate that NATO has to send reinforcements to Kandahar province.

Most of Canada's 2,500 troops in Afghanistan are in Kandahar as part of the NATO-led mission to stabilize the war-torn country.

Their presence has sparked controversy in Canada, with the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party calling for an immediate troop withdrawal.

Supporters of the mission argued that Canadians have made progress in providing schools, health care and clean water for thousands of Afghans.

They said the improving conditions would be impossible without troops ensuring a secure environment for aid workers and local residents.

"The military needs to be there," said Harold Albrecht, a conservative member of Parliament. "The military provides the civil order we would expect from police here."

The Canadian mission in Afghanistan was to end next February. It has claimed the lives of 80 soldiers and a diplomat, according to The Associated Press.