PM travels to Afghanistan

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today travelled to Afghanistan, where he visited with Canadian Forces and civilian personnel stationed in Kandahar.

“From the very first day of the Afghan mission the men and women of the Canadian Forces and civilian officials, have served courageously and selflessly to help the people of Afghanistan build a better future,” said the Prime Minister.  “Over the course of this mission our men and women in Afghanistan have made incredible sacrifices to defend our values and our interests.  It is an honour for me to meet with them, to thank them, and to let them know that their country supports them.  They make us very proud.”

The Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada is deepening its partnership with UNICEF and the Afghan Ministry of Education to invest in improved learning centres, construct new schools for 18,000 children in Kandahar, and provide funding for a 10-month literacy course for 2,500 women in the region.

“Investing in education is vital to improving human rights and, in particular, the rights of women in Afghanistan,” said the Prime Minister.  “My message to the people of Afghanistan, and to our international partners is clear.  Canada will do its part.”

The Prime Minister also visited Kandahar’s Dahla Dam project on the Arghandab River.  Eighty percent of Kandahar’s population lives along the Dahla irrigation system.  The Government of Canada is investing up to $50 million over three years to repair the dam and improve its surrounding irrigation system while helping train local farmers in new water management and crop production techniques.

“Canada’s Afghan mission is more than just a security operation.  It is also about making a real difference in the quality of life for thousands of Afghan families,” said the Prime Minister.  “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to see, first hand, the kind of meaningful contribution Canadians are making to Afghanistan’s future.”

For more information on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan, please visit www.afghanistan.gc.ca.