Prime Minister's address in Kandahar

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Hello everyone, and thank you for your warm welcome. Greetings to General Natynczyk, Ambassador Hoffmann, General Vance and Representative of Canada in Kandahar, Ken Lewis.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is my third trip to Kandahar since I was elected Prime Minister. It’s the third time I have been able to see for myself the exceptional work you are carrying out here with our Afghan friends. All Canadians admire your professionalism, your dedication and your courage.

In fulfilling your mission here you are upholding the historic, hard-earned reputation of the Canadian Forces as the world’s toughest and most capable soldiers, sailors and airmen. Together with our aid workers, diplomats, corrections officers and police, you are the best, brightest and bravest, our country has to offer. And you have behind you the admiration and the gratitude of our entire nation.

You came here to defend our national interests, our freedoms and our values. You are here to protect your country and the entire world against terrorism and barbarism; you are here to help the Afghan people rebuild this country too long ravaged by war; your challenges are legion; your work is extremely dangerous; you are making enormous sacrifices; and I am here to say thank you and to tell you that all Canadians are proud of you.

Before you came here, the Taliban ran Afghanistan like a mediaeval gulag. They kept ordinary Afghans poor, unhealthy and uneducated; they treated women and girls as sub-human; they subjected people to barbaric punishments; they trampled all freedoms; and they conspired with Al Qaeda to export terrorism around the world.

Those dark, desperate days are ending. You have brought hope to those who had none.

As another leader in another time observed, "to destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day" but "to build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years."

In the seven years since our work here began, incredible progress has been made – progress that continues each and every day. The foundations of democracy have been laid; basic human rights and freedoms are being restored; private enterprise is growing; millions of children are going to school; basic medical care has improved; and the infrastructure of a viable economy is emerging.

And our country, Canada, has played a leading role.

As you know, we have focussed our efforts on three major projects that will greatly help the Afghan people to flourish in the coming decades.

First, we are rehabilitating the Dahla Dam and its irrigation system. Earlier today I was able to visit the dam and see firsthand the work we are doing. When it is completed, the Dahla Dam project will provide water to a large part of the Kandahar region. This project will boost agriculture, and generate 10,000 seasonal jobs. And it will build people’s confidence in the future.

Second, Canada has also focused on improving education. We are building, renovating or expanding some fifty schools. Thousands of Afghan adults, the vast majority of them women, are getting literacy training.

Building on these achievements, I am announcing today that Canada will fund an additional UNICEF project providing education for almost 20,000 boys and girls in Kandahar.

Third, we have focused on improving healthcare specifically on eradicating polio. Millions of children have been vaccinated against polio. In fact, over seven million children have been vaccinated in the first months of this year alone.

And, of course, our efforts to improve security have continued. Tracts of the countryside continue to be cleared of lethal land mines – 346 square kilometres since 2006. Thanks to your efforts in particular, the Afghan National Army is nearing autonomous operational capacity in Kandahar province.

Yet, as we all know, these achievements have not come without cost. Canada has paid dearly for this mission with our most precious asset – our brave sons and daughters.

We will never forget our fellow Canadians who have lost their lives to protect ours and to improve the lives of the Afghan people. Their heroic deeds are forever etched in our memory. We also think of their spouses, their children, and their families, who have to live with such a terrible loss – you are also our heroes. As Prime Minister, the phone calls I make to the families of the fallen are the most difficult part of my job. And when you have gathered to bear a comrade on your shoulders for their final journey home, all of Canada has grieved with you. The sacrifices made here by your comrades will never be forgotten.

Theirs is a legacy we will build on. Because even in our shared sorrow, we know why we are here. As part of the family of civilized nations, we have a national obligation to do our part to contribute to our peace and security. As a prosperous and free country, we have the moral duty to share our good fortune, our freedoms and our opportunities with the citizens of the world who have too long had to endure violence, oppression and privation.

And for every one Taliban who strikes out at innocent Afghans, or at us, there are hundreds more decent, innocent, gentle people here just trying to survive. And so many selfless, courageous souls taking extraordinary risks to improve their country.

Nevertheless friends, there is still much work to do. We are in the process of transforming our mission to focus on reconstruction and development. Already our civilian contingent on the ground has doubled. And our work to train the Afghan military and police forces is ongoing.

To assist you with these critical tasks we now have the new strategic airlift C-17s, and Griffon and Chinook helicopters. We have new UAVs in the sky and new tanks on the ground. These assets demonstrate our government’s determination to provide the tools you need to get the job done. You will always be able to count on your government’s unwavering support.

But as you carry on this work we must never lose sight of the mission that brought us. Canada came here as part of a United Nations-sanctioned international rescue effort. We did not come as permanent occupiers - and we do not measure our success by the length of our stay. We came here to help the Afghan people secure the country. As I have said on each of my visits here, our mission is to leave Afghanistan to its people, as a viable country, a more peaceful country, a country in control of its own destiny.

To the members of the Canadian Forces here from all regions of our great country; to our fellow Canadians from Val-Cartier, Quebec City, Montreal, Sherbrooke, Gaspé, from Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Halifax, St. John’s, I say this: as you work to fulfill this mission, know that your country and all Canadians are behind you. Your compassion for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan, your resolve in the face of a savage enemy, your skill and professionalism, are credits to Canada. Your work here is the highest form of public service. It is undertaken neither for fortune, nor fame. It is not easy, nor is it safe. But it truly is a noble path; one that displays character; one that defines a life.

You are Canada’s best and greatest ambassadors. You are an incredible source of inspiration for all Canadians. Quite simply, you are our heroes. Thank you so much. God bless you in your work ahead. God bless those supporting you back home. And God bless Canada.

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