Canadian mission in Afghanistan

Canada's mission in Afghanistan and the former U.S. president Carter message to the Canadian

The former U.S. president Jimmy Carter spoke to the reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Carter said the NATO “mission in Afghanistan is a rare war in that it is one he supports.” Catrer encouraged Canada and other NATO-led International Security Assistance Force to remain and participate in maintaining peace. Canadian citizens and politician are divided over the Afghan mission. Canada’s mission in Afghanistan is set to February 2009, but PM Harper recently said “he will only extend the military component of the mission beyond the deadline with a consensus in Parliament.” PM is under pressure form the oppositions parties for a clear and soon end to the mission.
So the question now is, has the former U.S. president Carter message and the recent report from the NATO asking for more troops and military equipments from its members to the mission, would change the mind of Canadian politicians and citizens?
Since the liberation of Afghanistan in 2002 Canada has lost seventy-one soldiers and one diplomat in its mission. Canada continues to carry a heavy burden of the mission in maintaining peace and defeating the terrorist groups in southern Afghanistan. The recent NATO reports to the members for increase in troops and military equipments is a good news for Canada. Canada has always urged the NATO members to contribute more to the mission because it is not just important to liberation and maintaining peace in Afghanistan but for the global peace. This terrorist organization have not only aimed in attacking Afghanistan, Their aim is everyone form September 11, to Britain, Iraq, Spain and the recent arrest in Toronto that were 17 people with explosions. This terrorist groups’ goal and aim always has been the west and western liberal democracy. I believe the mission is important and Canada’s commitment to the mission is highly valued for the global peace and war on terrorism.
Canada is making changes in the global peace, war against terrorists, and humanitarian aids which is noble and honour for the Canadian army forces and Canadian citizens. PM Harper believe the Canada still need to contribute to Afghan in term of army training, police so that the Afghan government can defend its own sovereignty, this will not be completed by February 2009, but this objective should be achievable by 2011. I believe Canadian citizens and politicians should support the mission because the change and progress Canada making in the lives of Afghan citizens is very noble and it is in the interest of all of us which pave a better future for all. I recently heard about a twelve year old B.C girl who is trying to help Afghan girl through a charity organization she has established which is called “little girl helping little girl.” This is very thoughtful and noble for all human nature and it shows that we are all human being with no differences but we are only divided by boundaries and culture.

Prime Minister responds to Opposition election threats

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion comment on the Speech of Throne

Conservative throne speech puts Liberals on the spot

The eyes of the Canadian citizens and politician are going to be on Prime Minister Stephan Harper Conservative government and their priorities in the throne of speech tonight, and then it will be up to the Opposition Liberals to decide the government's fate. Full story here

The future of the Mr. Harper conservative government is going to be in the hands of the opposition parties mainly the Liberal party. Both the Bloc and NDP have already suggested they won't hesitate to vote against the government if their priorities aren't met in the throne speech. Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has said, "he's taking a wait-and-see approach, and will analyze the speech as a whole before making any decisions about how to vote." It is very hard to predict whether there will be an election or not because the Liberal party does see themselves ready for an election and does not want the Conservative end up with another minority or majority government.

I think the opposition parties should wait and see the throne of speech and then make a decision. To make the government work is not not by calling an election, let's make the parliament work and have some result. Going to another election will not going to scare or stop people from going to poll, but that is not what majority people wants, they want result and action in the government. We should see the speech of the throne and see what are the priorities and are those priorities address Canadian citizen,s needs or not.

Summary of the Saskatchewan election called for 2007

NDP Leader Lorne Calvert announced that the 26th provincial general election will be on November 7, 2007. In the same day Calvert declared the NDP's candidate in his Saskatoon Rivers dale constituency. He told a crowed of supporters “let’s go win an election.” In the other hand the Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall welcomed the election and said after 16 years of NDP government, it's time for a change. The election also welcome by the Liberal party leader David hoping to make a breakthrough this time. full story here

Saskatchewan election called for Nov. 7

This up coming election in Saskatchewan going to be a battle mostly between the NDP and Saskatchewan party since they both hold the majority seats in the legislature. Each party has certain priority to focus on and this priority is going to be top issues in their campaign and debates. NDP has already made announcement in number of areas such as education, health care, drug plan and social programs, where the Sask party also made his own plan in term of these issues and Liberal party as well.
Brad Wall main goal mainly is going to aim at the 16 years of NDP government, and focusing on change in the Province. Mr. Wall stated after Mr. Calvert announced the election "16 years of NDP government, it's time for a change." Change in the province’s economic and other issues is going to be the main goal of Sask-party. This is going to have a very huge impact on the opinion and decision of Saskatchewanian. I think Saskatchewan going to have a higher turn out voters than previous years because of the long NDP rule in the province. Change is becoming a top priority for many Saskatchewanian and mostly for the youths. NDP also has its way to challenge the Sask-party’s legacy in term of social programs, family value and importantly seniors. NDP as usual going to take the same step scaring the Saskatchewanian of electing a Conservatives government and their policies. I believe NDP has lesser chance of forming government because of their previous rule and governing.

Summary of Harper warns opposition over support for throne speech

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Wednesday that if the opposition supports his upcoming speech from the throne, they must also pass, at later dates, all items that come from it, or risk triggering a federal election. He told the reporters his Oct, 16 speech from the throne will address issues such as Afghanistan, economics, environment, and Canada’s role in the world, and he also said the choice is not an election or obstruction. Full story here

Harper warns opposition over support for throne speech

To me Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s speech to the oppositions is that they have no choice, they need to support his upcoming speech from the throne, because neither of them are ready nor are able to defeat his government. He stated in his speech “the choice is not an election or obstruction. The choice is an election or give the government a mandate to govern.” Harper has already layed out the options of his upcoming speech of throne and if you don’t like this is it and if you like this is it.
I do not agree with the PM speech, He should know Canadian are not scared of going to another election it is him who is concerned about his position and role in politics. Canadian wants cooperation among the parties and get something done and have some result in the parliament not political games or threat of an election. To me PM Harper upcoming speech from the throne is not about the Canadian needs it is about his political agendas and role, and he is not willing to cooperate with the oppositions and address the Canadian needs.

Summary of Mackay's comment regarding Liberal Defence critic trip to Afghanistan

Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre came under criticism for his trip to Afghanistan by the Defence Minister Peter Mackay. Mackay called Coderre's trip irresponsible without the Conservative government's approval. Coderre said he is going there on his own and was tired of waiting for permission. He stated to CBC news "I'm the official critic. I'm the critic of the Official Opposition of Her Majesty. It's important for me to do my job." More story here

MacKay calls Liberal's trip to Afghanistan a stunt

Mackay comment on Liberal Defence critic Denis Coderre trip to Afghanistan is nonsense, it does not mean you have to be a government personal to go to Afghanistan. Coderre is the official opposition defence critic it is his responsibility and duty to be aware of the Canadian army missions situation in Afghanistan and have direct contact with the military officers.

I don't believe the Coderre's trip is going to be a risk to the Canadian military personal. I would consider it as a support to Canadian soldiers and the mission in Afghanistan. It is important that the opposition have direct talk with the aid groups and Canadian military officers in order to be aware of the situation and know if they have shortage in anything and satisfied with their needs. Plus the public get some result of the mission not just from the media or the government.

In my opinion this trip is necessary and it is support to the Canadian military. I think we should show more support to the mission not just by visiting but by standing behind the military presence in Afghanistan.

By Karwan Waissi