Evidence of meeting #12 for Afghanistan in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ground.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
I always ask the minister first and then defer to the general.
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command provided regular updates on the situation in Afghanistan. Since February 2021, regular coordination meetings between Canadian and allied intelligence analysts were provided on the deteriorating situation. Mid-July through mid-August, CFINTCOM did provide daily briefings on Afghanistan to the then acting chief of the defence staff, then deputy minister and then Minister of National Defence.
Chief.
Gen Wayne D. Eyre
Mr. Chair, to address the specific question, we received in late March a request for assistance from Global Affairs Canada to put what is called a “strategic advisory team” into the embassy to focus solely on embassy security. That team was in place. It arrived on April 24. Its role was to provide indications and warning and advice to the head of mission on a daily basis to inform the head of mission's decision-making with respect to security, etc.
Conservative
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Very quickly, we've heard testimony that the embassy and ambassador and staff left too quickly. They could have stayed even a couple of more days to help more people get out. The flight they left on was only half full. Can you confirm that?
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
I will simply say that the circumstances on the ground were deteriorating rapidly. Canada's evacuation efforts were contingent upon U.S. military control of the airport. We stayed for as long possible, and evacuated as many people as possible, in the face of a quickly devolving security situation. In fact, Canada was among the last to leave and to cease operations ahead of the U.S. military completing its withdrawal on August 30.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
We'll move to Mr. El-Khoury.
You have five minutes, please. Go ahead.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to welcome the minister, as well as the deputy minister and CAF officials.
Canada is known as a leader when it comes to delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need. The Canadian Armed Forces have been in Afghanistan for nearly 13 straight years. They have done an extraordinary job. Soldiers paid with their lives while serving Canada, Afghanistan and the humanitarian cause in general.
Minister, beyond their military mission, what role did the Canadian Armed Forces play to make it easier for those in need to obtain humanitarian assistance, particularly women and children?
Also, over the course of those 13 years, soldiers were brutally killed or injured. After all that sacrifice and all those years in Afghanistan, what did we accomplish?
Liberal
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
Thank you for your remarks and your question.
First, that's a good question because the work of the Canadian Armed Forces is very important, not only because of their military contribution, but also because of the benefits they helped bring to the population overall.
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
A generation of men and women in Afghanistan were able to participate in democratic political processes. A vibrant and free press flourished, telling Afghan stories and holding government to account as we expect in a democracy. A generation of girls and boys had the opportunity to go to primary and secondary school and then onwards to university. Higher standards of living with reduced maternal and infant mortality extended life expectancy. More mothers and babies survived childbirth as a result of having access to trained birth attendants and pre- and post-natal care. Women's and minority rights improved significantly.
This is what our Canadian Armed Forces were able to facilitate. This is what we need to continue to be thankful for as well.
In addition to the CAF leaders with me today, we should thank the CAF members for their significant efforts during the war.
Thank you.
Chief, go ahead.
Gen Wayne D. Eyre
That is a crucial question for those of us who served in Afghanistan.
It's a very personal answer that we have to give as we answer the question of whether it was it worth it. Was our sacrifice in that country worth it?
When I talk to our members it's a very emotional time because many of us lost friends, colleagues and subordinates in that country. We did everything that you, the elected officials of this country, asked us to do. We gave that country 20 years to make it a better place. We saw progress on the ground. We saw a generation of Afghans educated and we saw them connected to the outside world.
We poured our heart and soul into that country, so it's painful to see what has happened. Everyone one of us, as I mentioned, has a personal question to answer: Was it worth it?
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I am proud and pleased to hear what you and the honourable minister have said.
I'm going to ask you a quick question.
Minister, following the evacuation in 2021 and in light of the events in Ukraine, President Macron and others are pushing for Europe to not only strengthen its defence capacity so that it works in coordination with NATO's, but also achieve strategic autonomy over security as well as other areas.
Can you tell us how budget 2022 will help preserve multilateralism and Canada's role in NATO?
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
Thank you for your question.
As you know, in budget 2022, the government earmarked $8 billion in defence spending.
We must continue working closely with our allies, partners and NATO, especially on continental defence.
Now we have more money to work with our allies, and it's very important that we do so.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you very much, Mr. El-Khoury.
We'll now go to Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe for two and a half minutes.
Please go ahead.