Strong Leadership on the World Stage

April 04, 2008

Yesterday, the courageous men and women of the Canadian Forces currently serving in Afghanistan received some very good news. More help is on the way.

Prime Minister Harper has rallied the resolve of our NATO allies to make a new commitment to the people of Afghanistan. As a result of new commitments from France and the United States, more NATO soldiers will be joining the Canadian Forces currently stationed in Kandahar province.

At the same time, other NATO allies such as Poland, have stepped forward with offers to provide helicopters and other equipment for use in the Kandahar Mission.

These commitments fulfill key requirements that were laid out in the bi-partisan Manley Report on Canada’s future role in Afghanistan as well as the consensus motion that Parliament passed to extend the Afghanistan Mission to 2011.

While there are still many details to work out, Canadians have every reason to be pleased with this result. Thanks to strong decisive leadership, it is clearer than ever that Canada is back: Our country’s voice once again matters on the world stage.

Yesterday also brought another important milestone as the Harper Conservative Government officially exceeded the term of office of the previous Paul Martin Liberal Government.

Thanks to strong leadership and real priorities, Prime Minister Harper is making minority government work both at home and abroad.

With strong leadership and real priorities, the Conservative Government has overcome the resistance of the NDP opposition to deliver real results through the 2008 budget, the first ever made-in-Canada climate change plan, and the tough new laws that will keep violent criminals behind bars.

Now Canadians can count on more NATO support for the Afghanistan Mission as well.

Real Priorities. Real Results. Both at home and abroad, Canada is better off thanks to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Government.