Harper and Ignatieff break promise on Afghan mission

MONTREAL – Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, with help from the Michael Ignatieff Liberals, are turning their backs on a previous commitment to end the military mission in Afghanistan in 2011 and bring our troops home from Afghanistan.

“Stephen Harper made a solemn commitment to bring the troops home next year, but he has again failed to live up to his words. And the Michael Ignatieff Liberals seem happy to join in and ignore their own promises,” lamented Layton. “New Democrats disagree, and we are demanding the Prime Minister bring this new extension to the House of Commons for public debate and a vote.”

Liberals and Conservatives had previously committed to bringing any future military mission extensions to the House of Commons for a vote. Instead, Harper announced from Korea that this time there would be no public debate and no vote.

“Harper waited until MPs left Ottawa and then engaged in a backroom deal with the Ignatieff Liberals to extend the military mission in Afghanistan. This is wrong,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “A majority of Canadians say they are against extending the military mission – Conservatives and Liberals must start listening to Canadians, not just to each other.”

“What New Democrats are saying is we need an increased focus on diplomacy, development and governance in Afghanistan, in order to build a lasting peace to this region,” said Layton. “Canada’s military has served with honour and done its fair share, now it’s time for Canada’s contribution to be through aid and diplomacy.”