Address by the Prime Minister on new Canadian government assistance for the reconstruction of Afghanistan

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Thank you, Mr Speaker,

I am pleased to annouce today that Canada is strengthening its support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

As I said on May 17, when this House voted to extend Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, our Government is committed to helping rebuild this shattered nation.

We are doing so for three reasons.

First, because our national security and the safety of Canadians is at stake.

As North Americans learned on September 11, 2001, terrorism is a menace to us all. 

And it must be confronted wherever we find it - at home or abroad.

We were again and unmistakeably reminded of this by recent arrests of a number of people charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Second, we are doing this because we are determined to demonstrate Canada’s leadership on the world stage to regain the trust of our allies and to demonstrate that we will pull our weight in United Nations missions.

Third, we are doing this because the Government and people of Afghanistan asked us to help them.

And it is the nature of Canadians to share the peace and prosperity we have achieved here with countries torn by war, poverty or natural disaster.

Mr Speaker, a great deal has been accomplished since Canada and its coalition partners, comprising 35 countries, decided to help the Afghan people stabilize security and 60 nations began the task of rebuilding this country.

For example, in the last election, some 12 million Afghans registered to vote – the vast majority for the first time in their lives.

In addition:

• Three million, five hundred thousand refugees have been relocated.

• Some five million children – a third of them girls – are enrolled in primary school.

• One hundred twenty thousand Afghan women have benefited from microcredit to start up their own businesses.

• Vast quantities of heavy arms, ammunition and mines have been turned in, cantonned or destroyed.

• And 11,000 villages have been rebuilt in the countryside.

Canada’s financial commitment to supporting this important work currently stands at over $1 billion over 10 years.

Budget 2006 set aside $100 million for this year alone.

But more needs to be done.

That is why I am pleased to announce today one more contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

Namely, that Canada will provide $15 million to the Asian Development Bank to help Afghanistan rebuild the country’s rural irrigation systems, damaged by years of conflict and neglect.

This is a major initiative.

For centuries, Afghans have used traditional irrigation methods to grow their food.

Up to 80% of agricultural production depends on irrigation, and over half of the national economy depends on agriculture.

Thanks to Canada’s contribution, a number of irrigation systems will be rebuilt.

This will stimulate food production.

And it will help local farmers grow other crops than poppies, which when processed end up on our streets in the form of illegal drugs.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians should be very proud of this country’s work in support of the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

They can be proud of the courageous personnel of the Canadian Forces who are working with Allied troops, Afghan police and members of the Afghan National Army to enhance security in that country.

And they can be proud of our diplomats and development workers who are cooperating with the Afghan people to lay the groundwork for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.

By providing clean water, mine-free roads and reliable energy sources.

By building more schools and healthcare facilities.

And by helping Afghans build their country’s democratic infrastructure, by establishing major institutions such as:

• An independent human rights commission,

• A new central bank,

• And a professional police force.

Today’s announcement represents one more building block in this work.

And one more step in a journey we are taking with our allies and the Afghan people to establish a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan.

An Afghanistan that will never again serve as a safe haven for international terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda.

An Afghanistan that can take its rightful place in the community of nations.

This is an important mission.

And one our country is proud to be part of.

Thank you.