Canada boosts mission in Afghanistan

September 12, 2006

Guest Post by Michael J.W. Stickings

It may not seem like much, but Canada is sending more troops and equipment to Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Harper used yesterday’s five-year anniversary of 9/11 to promote Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, one of the most controversial policies of his premiership, not least with all the bodybags returning home, but this country, my country, remains deeply divided over whether we should be there at all.

At least he didn’t connect 9/11 to Iraq, however. (Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien had the good sense to keep us out of that mess.)

(For more on Canada’s mission, and losses, in Afghanistan, see here.)

But no thanks to Canada’s own Neocon boob, Harper. He conveniently forgot his own pro Iraq invasion stance when it dawned on him that Iraq was a bad thing.

  • Yes, if it had been up to the Conservatives, Canada would likely be a member of the coalition of the willing (“willing” only because the ruling party is). Harper should thank his lucky starts (and his Liberal predecesors) that he doesn’t have to deal with Iraq.

  • I prefer that Canada stays out of America’s wars. I want to continue to be able to claim I’m Canadian when I travel.

  • It’s “funny” how similiar Canada is to US sometimes… You’ll be burpin’ Harper for years, without being able to digest and assimilate him — like we and Bush. But your pro-people faction, like our Dems, seems to be wishy-washy and weak.

    But you’ve managed to get universal healthcare well entrenched before Harper started chippin’ away at you, so I’ll always be envious 🙂

  • Libra,

    Actually, he’s not in a very strong position at this point being in a Minority Gov and considering that his strength is rather weak in Ontario (which has almost 1/3 of the nation’s seats in parliament.)

    It took us 6 years to air out the stench of Mulrooney and his near crippling deficits thru fiscal “responsibility” so we will survive Harper. Besides, there are two things that can get Canadians riled up besides hockey. One of them is dismantling Healthcare and the other is corruption. Harper can’t afford to do either. However, it should be noted that a large number of his underlings are ex-lobbyists (even more so than the previous Lib gov before them.)

  • Dan said
    Actually, he’s not in a very strong position at this point being in a Minority Gov and considering that his strength is rather weak in Ontario (which has almost 1/3 of the nation’s seats in parliament.)

    It took us 6 years to air out the stench of Mulrooney and his near crippling deficits thru fiscal “responsibility” so we will survive Harper. Besides, there are two things that can get Canadians riled up besides hockey. One of them is dismantling Healthcare and the other is corruption. Harper can’t afford to do either. However, it should be noted that a large number of his underlings are ex-lobbyists (even more so than the previous Lib gov before them.)

    Agreed, Brother Dan. However, we’re running the danger of underestimating him. Keep in mind that much of his key cabinet is made up of the former architechs of Ontario’s “Common Sense Revolution” – a recent neo-con period that the province is still reeling from.

    This whole bullcrap with the softwood lumber issue and threatening to engineer a defeat of its proposed bill (to automatically unleash elections) whilst the Liberals are still looking to elect their new leader could spell Majority for the Tories, if they play it right. Ducceppe rushed in to offer support the bill, thus helping to stall for time.

    It is hilarious seeing Harper acting like he thinks he has a majority. It’s going to come back and bite him in the ass. Canadians do no like arrogance, and least of all, smugness. Mind you, the Liberals might be stuck with a hawk like Ignatieff who would have probably went further.

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