Canadians Nervous About Military Role
At the same time that the Harper Conservative government is announcing $5.3 Billion new dollars in military spending, Canadians are nervous about our involvement in Afganistan. A poll taken by Allan Gregg found that 62% of Canadians are uneasy with our current military deployment in the Middle East. The poll commissioned by the Strategic Counsel asked: If you were a MP would you vote in favour of sending troops to Afgainstan? YES: 27% NO 62% Don’t Know 11%. (Toronto Globe and Mail - Feb. 24/06)
Canada’s new Tory Defense Minister, Gordon O’Connor, says his vision for the Canadian Armed forces is for more troops in the ranks, and closer ties with the United States. The Harper Conservatives put forward a number of promises concerning the military during the last election campaign. This, coupled with the ongoing mess in Iraq and recent American sabre rattling towards the Iranians should give all of us some concern. While Canadians have always been proud of our international peacekeeping efforts, our current role in Afganistan may be evolving into something quite different under Mr. Harper's watch.
Canada’s new Tory Defense Minister, Gordon O’Connor, says his vision for the Canadian Armed forces is for more troops in the ranks, and closer ties with the United States. The Harper Conservatives put forward a number of promises concerning the military during the last election campaign. This, coupled with the ongoing mess in Iraq and recent American sabre rattling towards the Iranians should give all of us some concern. While Canadians have always been proud of our international peacekeeping efforts, our current role in Afganistan may be evolving into something quite different under Mr. Harper's watch.
I am afraid that even if Afghanistan terrorists levelled the CN tower, 62 percent of Canadians would oppose us being there. That is just our way. We would rather be pacifists and peacekeepers than one to settle the score for atrocities done to us.
Posted by
Richard_Cranium |
2:30 pm, February 24, 2006
uk4ua:
Be at risk like Great Britian and the USA? Canada was named on the same list of 5 or 6 countries that Al Quaeda was going to hit. Only two of those countries, us and Australia, have yet to be targetted.
Surely that seems to me as enough of a risk
Posted by
Matt |
1:40 am, February 25, 2006