Afghanistan
Canada’s role in Afghanistan may be the defining issue in this campaign.
Afghanistan is important to us because the manner in which we help the people of Afghanistan is integral to how we, as Canadians, define who we are and the role we aspire to for Canada to play on the world stage.
I believe there are two very different visions emerging about what our role in Afghanistan should be and ultimately, how we wish to define ourselves as Canadians.
One vision suggests that we should continue to participate in America’s war with increased soldiers, helicopters and unmanned drones until "the job is done."
This vision began with the Liberal government’s decision to send Canadian troops into Afghanistan six years ago without a deadline, an exit strategy or any definition or measurement for success. Our six-month Afghan mission has now lasted longer than our involvement in World War II.
This vision presumes that through a combat mission, NATO forces will create the conditions that bring about security and stability and improve the lives of the Afghan people.
To date, not only has this approach failed, it has made things worse. Under the current approach favoured by both the other major parties, there has been no fundamental change in the plight of the Afghan people since this recent war began.
In fact, he situation is worse now than it was before. Ordinary Aghans are not better off. Deaths are up. Corruption is up. Opium production is up. Schools built by the military are being targeted. Food prices, particularly for wheat and wheat flour, have increased by 60 to 80 per cent leading to 3 million Afghans being unable to afford to eat.
Total spending on the military mission in Afghanistan has reached $7 billion. Over the same period, only $670 million was spent on development aid.
And yet the current approach has failed to build:
- security for the Afghan people;
- a robust economy;
- a vibrant democracy;
- gender equality; or
- a stable and lasting peace.
The evidence shows that the military vision – after being more time than it took to defeat Hitler to prove itself effective – is not working. When we know that a particular approach is failing, we owe it to ourselves and our soldiers to pick another approach.
Because there is a second vision for Canada’s role in Afghanistan – one that focuses on bringing about security, stability and improving the lives of the Afghan people by building a path toward peace.
This is the approach the NDP believes Canada must follow. It echoes the approach that millions of average Canadians believe should be followed.
The first step along this path is the clear indication that we are withdrawing our troops now through an operational plan for a safe and secure withdrawal.
Troop withdrawal has to be the starting point because, being combatants, chasers of insurgents, and escalators of war – will deny us any credibility to serve as leaders for peace.
I believe that Canada should be working to start the dialogue to bring about a lasting peace in Afghanistan. We should be using our skills and expertise to bring the various actors in Afghanistan to the table.
We should be working to put in place an effective disarmament programme recognizing that 65% of Afghans say that disarmament is the most important step toward improving security in Afghanistan.
Taking the path to peace through diplomacy also means involving regional actors, such as Pakistan, in discussions because regional cooperation is vital to any successful strategy for regional security and peace.
The path to peace requires a political, not a military, approach.
The NDP believe that Canada must be a voice of moderation, realism and peace on the world stage. And to become that voice, we must embrace a new approach for Canada as well as for the international community.
Experience has shown that a military approach is not working.
It’s time for Canada to change its approach, withdraw from the combat mission and lead a process for peace and stability or jeopardize our reputation as an international peacekeeper and preclude our involvement in important UN peacekeeping missions elsewhere.