Canadians Do Not ‘Cut and Run’

March 8, 2006

I can only attempt to imagine the pain and utter despair felt by the parents, spouses and children of the 11 Canadians who have died serving our country in Afghanistan.

As a father of three children, I can imagine it, but I cannot presume to know how it feels to face a future without them. This week, the families of two soldiers killed in a traffic accident in Afghanistan, Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson and Cpl. Paul Davis, are just beginning that horrible journey of grief.

The latest tragedy, the gruesome axe attack on Capt. Trevor Greene, while he was attending a peaceful meeting with elders of an Afghan village, has the entire nation reeling at the dangers our troops face in this mission.

We should be shocked and horrified. More importantly, we should be this aware of the treacherous conditions in Afghanistan. On a daily basis, the Afghan people are being terrorized by insurgents fighting to return to the days when the Taliban regime encouraged and harboured Islamic terrorism.

As Canada’s top soldier General Rick Hillier put it, perhaps Canadian troops can help Afghanis “get security to a level where you don't risk getting killed every time you go shopping for food or … where medical clinics can be built so children don't die before the age of 5 in a 25 percent range."

The Afghan people and their government have asked Canada to help restore personal security, re-build their crumbled infrastructure and prevent international terrorism from taking root once again. And yes, the work is very, very dangerous.

Heightened understanding of this fact has enhanced the appreciation of those Canadians whom already recognized the sacrifices made by our soldiers, and it has prompted realization among others. Fear for the safety of our troops and the desire to protect their families from the pain of having to bury them is natural for most Canadians. The desire to ‘bail out’ is not.

It was just over three months ago that MPs in the House of Commons held an extensive debate on Canada’s mission to Afghanistan. As the Official Opposition at the time, the Conservative Party of Canada called for this debate because we felt Canadians did not have adequate information on our troops’ role in the war- torn country. The Liberal government of the day stated its firm commitment to the mission, a sentiment echoed by the Conservative Party.

Just a few short months later, the recent Canadian deaths in Afghanistan, though unbelievably tragic, should not change this resolve.

Cpl. Davis’ father said his son turned down a promotion here at home in order to take part in the Afghan mission out of his strong sense of duty. Another soldier who suffered minor injuries in the accident that killed Cpl. Davis told his mother, “I’m more determined to see this through.”

With that kind of dedication, our troops have a right to expect the same kind of support from the Canadian public and the Canadian government. Canada has a proud history of coming to the aid of nations in need. Now is not the time to ‘cut and run’.

-30-