Defence Minister Peter MacKay repeated the government's official line that the country's soldiers would be withdrawn from combat in Afghanistan next year, but he also suggested some Canadians might stay.
Canada is willing to continue mentoring Afghan police after the troop disengagement begins in summer 2011, MacKay said as he wrapped up a three-day trip to the Central Asian country.
Canada currently has 48 civilian police RCMP and municipal officers and 40 military police mentoring Afghan police officers in Kandahar. On Thursday, MacKay announced 90 more troops would be sent to help train local police and the national army, but at the time he said those new trainers would be brought home in 2011.
After 2011, the military mission will end, MacKay said Saturday. What we will do beyond that point in the area of training will predominantly be in the area of policing. Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/04/10/mackay-afghanistan-training.html#ixzz0poxmfXSO
Liberal member Bob Rae and other members of the parliamentary committee on the Afghan mission discuss Canada's anticipated civilian role in the war-torn country after the military pulls out next year
A group of MPs visiting Afghanistan has left the door open for an agreement in Parliament to keep some Canadian troops in the country after the current mission ends next summer.
At the end of their five-day visit, members of the parliamentary committee on the Afghan mission said that they were surprised at the level of success the Canadians have had militarily, as well as in terms of development.
As a result of their trip, most of the committee's members said they believe Canadian troops should have a role in Afghanistan beyond 2011, but one that would focus on training instead of combat.
Liberal member Bob Rae said it's time for an intense discussion on what Canada's role will be in Afghanistan after next year, and appeared to suggest a deal could be reached among the parties to see some troops stay.
We have an obligation to see this thing through, Rae said. The door is open to serious discussion in Canada and between Canada and NATO about what the future looks like.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/06/03/mps-afghanistan-military-2011.html#ixzz0poySCtut
Peter McKay also announced Ship Building contracts for the future:
HMCS Preserver, the navy's 40-year-old Halifax-based supply ship, rests at drydock at the Halifax shipyards on Thursday. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
Defence Minister Peter MacKay on Thursday laid out Ottawa's $35-billion plan to reinvigorate Canada's moribund shipbuilding industry.
MacKay said the government will establish a long-term relationship with two Canadian shipyards for the procurement of the large ships one to build combat vessels, the other to build non-combat vessels.
The plan is to select two Canadian shipyards in a fair and transparent process, he said at the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa. We expect to have these contracts signed within two years.
It is unclear how much of the $35-billion price tag is new money as the Canada First Defence strategy (first outlined by the Harper government in May 2008) called for spending $20 billion to replace destroyers and frigates and other vehicles in the Canadian Forces fleet between now and 2028.
It also called for $15 billion in previously announced purchases of vehicles, including offshore patrol ships.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/06/03/mackay-shipbuilding-cansec.html#ixzz0pp09gyo1
Only time will tell if the first story is good for Canada and our troops, as for the second story this is wonderful news for employment as well as defense.
www.invisiblearmycanada.ca
Nil Sine labore
Robby
