Comment
Remember the sacrifice this holiday season
by Michelle Minnoch

I thought about what my last editorial for the year should be, and I picked a topic I am passionate about and supportive of - the war in Afghanistan.

In May, MP’s narrowly voted to extend our mission in the war torn nation, 149-145. It was the Bloc and the NDP who voted against the mission. The vote took place at a time when Canada lost their first female soldier in combat, Capt. Nichola Goddard of the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

Our troops are making the ultimate sacrifice, traveling to a foreign country, and are separated from friends and family. The men and women who sign up for the Canadian military know the risks involved when they sign up. They know they can be deployed anywhere at anytime.

There was quite a spark lit when Prime Minister Harper mentioned this past fall that Canada was indeed involved in a war in Afghanistan. The word ‘war’ upset many Canadians, as their thoughts of our soldiers rebuilding a nation, turned into the reality of our soldiers fighting in one.

While Canadians have been generally been peacekeepers over the past number of decades, we are now a nation who produces soldiers, and there is nothing wrong with that. Peacekeeping was developed at a time when it was needed, and it still is. But right now, there are corners of the world who need help, and the help is needed in a form of soldiers.

From 2001-2011, Canada is expected to give Afghanistan $1 billion in developmental assistance. Our country has heard the appeal from Afghanistan, asking for assistance for long term development investments. We are helping to build a nation, after the fall of the Taliban - a regime that did not believe in the rights we solely take for granted.

Since the fall of the Taliban, Afghans have a new constitution, presidential and legislative elections, more than four million children enrolled in schools, and the reintegration of almost three million Afghan refugees.

Apparently Bloc Leader Giles Duceppe wants to topple the Harper Government in February over the mission in Afghanistan. I do not want another election, and I am sure the majority of Canadians don’t want another one so soon as well. I am not comfortable with the fact that he wants to throw down the government based on how long we are to be in Afghanistan. Listen, the House voted in favour of staying until 2009, so let’s honour that commitment. We have played a significant role in that country, and should continue to do so.

I support our troops, and support my country. I wear red on Fridays. I try to keep as informed as possible about what we are accomplishing in Afghanistan. I am thankful for the freedoms we have. I am appreciate the fact that there are men and women, our fellow Canadians, who have chosen to fight for the freedoms of others. The ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you.