PRIME
MINISTER HARPER UNVEILS REVISED MOTION ON THE FUTURE OF CANADA’S MISSION
IN AFGHANISTAN
OTTAWA
– In a speech to the Conference of Defence Associations today, Prime
Minister Stephen Harper unveiled details of the Government’s revised
motion on the future of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
Prime
Minister Harper noted that the revised motion represents an effort to
achieve a bi-partisan consensus in the House on the future of the mission.
It builds on the original Government motion derived from the
recommendations of the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in
Afghanistan by incorporating large elements of a motion proposed by the
Liberal party. “This motion acknowledges what is required for Canada’s
mission to succeed in Afghanistan,” said the Prime Minister
”I am
pleased that there is some fundamental common ground between the
Government and the Official Opposition, particularly agreement that the
mission should continue until 2011 and that operational decisions should
be left to Canadian commanders on the ground in Afghanistan.”
The details
of the revised motion were part of a speech outlining the role Canada and
its military should play in the global security landscape. Highlighting
the Government’s commitment to rebuilding the military and Canada’s
long-standing tradition as a reliable partner and ally in the quest for
global security, the Prime Minister announced that the Government has
decided to set aside stable and predictable funding for this plan by
increasing the automatic annual increase in defence spending from 1.5 per
cent to 2 per cent, beginning in 2011-12. This increase will be reflected
in the fiscal framework.
This
funding, together with new and upgraded equipment, will improve the
general effectiveness and safety of Canada’s troops.
“The
successful pursuit of all of Canada’s interests around the world –
trade, investment, diplomatic and humanitarian – ultimately depends on
security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “That’s why we need to build
a first-class modern military and keep it that way.”
|