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Canadian Afghanistan Mission Could Cost $18 Billion By 2010

by Rob Walker | October 9, 2008 at 11:42 am | 47 views | 2 comments | 2 recommendations

A new report from the Canadian government's budget officer says the ongoing military efforts in Afghanistan could cost taxpayers up to $18 billion by 2011.

That comes down to about $1,500 for every household in Canada, but the report warned of a huge lack of reporting of budget issues or updates since the mission's inception seven years ago.

The war in Afghanistan and rebuilding the shattered country will cost Canadian taxpayers up to $18.1 billion - $1,500 for every household - by 2011, says Parliament's budget officer.
Kevin Page's report also says the cost could run even higher, while acknowledging that his forecast is a rough estimate. He said it's impossible to come up with an accurate number because there are many variables and not all the government departments involved have provided enough information.

The cost of Canada's mission in Afghanistan could be more than double what the Conservative government has estimated, an Ottawa think-tank suggested on Wednesday, a day before the official tally is slated for release.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has previously estimated that the total cost to date of Canada's mission, which began in 2002, is less than $8 billion.