I was saying that it was the government's responsibility and obligation to assure ourselves that we are not transferring detainees, Taliban prisoners, to any location in which there is a substantial risk of abuse. To that end, we improved access. We've had to date over 180 visits to Afghan detention centres. We have embarked on mentoring of officials, both police officers and those working in detention centres. We have invested literally millions in the prison system and the prisons themselves. We've also improved lines of communication with international bodies like the Red Cross.
When I speak of responsibility, I'm speaking in the inclusive whole-of-government sense. While the commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan holds the final decision on transfers, his decision is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances, including information based on the monitoring and the diplomatic analysis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Neither the Canadian Forces nor the commander make decisions in the abstract.
Mr. Chair, I want to use the remainder of my remarks to briefly address two issues that have been raised by members of this committee.
First, I know that there have been concerns with the disclosure of information to the committee as you examine the issue of detainee transfers.
But I cannot emphasize enough that the government has a critical obligation to ensure that the lives of Canadians—civilians and military—are not put at additional risk by the potential release of information that may be of an operational security nature. We must also protect the relationships with our partners in Afghanistan who are so crucial in helping us conduct our mission.
Mr. Chair, to avoid such a situation that would endanger lives, government officials, lawyers, trained officials take a careful review of any documentation that is to be disclosed. Experts from various departments involved have vetted all documents and identified any sensitive information that could lead to danger for soldiers and personnel deployed. This is a well-established procedure within the Government of Canada, and it is free from political interference. I should add that it has also been the subject of review by the Federal Court.
Colleagues, the other issue I want to address before closing is the allegation that I have savaged a diplomat in public. This is, of course, false and completely untrue. I have not maligned or impugned anyone's character or integrity. I simply pointed out what at least seven other witnesses who testified here did as well, and that is there is insufficient evidence to back up claims that were made. I deliberately qualified my remarks at the time by saying they were not personal. I have not made this personal. I have never used the word “Taliban dupe”, although it was attributed to me dozens of times in various broadcasts and publications. This would explain perhaps why certain diplomats have been of the mistaken belief that I have been attacking an individual, and have responded by attacking me.
Finally, colleagues, the other issue I would like to address is the call by some for a public inquiry to be held on this issue. There are already, by my count, three investigations into the exact subject matter, either under way or about to be completed. First, the Canadian Forces convened a board of inquiry to investigate the treatment of individuals detained by the Canadian Forces in April of 2006. The board concluded that the Canadian Forces, without exception, treated prisoners professionally and humanely, and it went on to say, Mr. Chair, that all their actions while dealing with prisoners complied with directives in place at the time of capture and were consistently above reproach.
Second, the Military Police Complaints Commission is currently investigating detainee transfers. The chair, independent of the government, decided to suspend the work of the commission and seek leave to appeal to the Federal Court for a decision affirming its mandate. Last week, however, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed the application for leave, awarding costs against the MPCC, confirming that the limited nature and scope of the mandate of the commission had to be followed. With the appeal denied, Mr. Chair, I would suggest that we will soon see the commission back underway with their investigation into the matter.
There is, of course, the work of this committee. I welcome your decision and your deliberations on this matter. The government is fully supporting the work of this committee, and as you can see, you have three ministers before you today, prepared to answer questions. In addition, you have heard from eleven witnesses, including all of the senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the military, most in close proximity to the time in question in the mission in Afghanistan. I can assure you, Chair, that our government will continue to fully cooperate with the committee on this issue.
Finally, let me conclude, colleagues, by recalling the way in which the situation has changed on the ground and the adjustments that we made and that our international partners are continuing to make to ensure we are doing the right things in terms of building security and promoting development and governance when dealing with the issue of Taliban prisoner transfers.
We have never denied concerns regarding the conditions within Afghan detention facilities. In fact from 2006 onward our government and officials were continuing to improve the system and invest millions of dollars in ensuring that their capacity continued to rise. We are constantly re-evaluating our approach in consultation with our allies, and of course with Afghan authorities.
Mr. Chair, the Canadian Taliban prisoner transfer regime that we have in place now is rigorous and thorough, and as you have heard from a number of witnesses, including Linda Garwood-Filbert of the Correctional Service of Canada, we are continuing in that endeavour. It is consistent with that of our allies and what they are doing, and consistent with what we have tried to achieve as a government, and with the Government of Afghanistan, in terms of respecting their sovereignty and of course developing their capacity to govern themselves and elevate their human rights.
Our Canadian team in Afghanistan is doing extraordinary work in a difficult and dangerous and sometimes horrific mission. We all know the costs that our soldiers have paid and their families have paid on this mission, Mr. Chair. They continue to perform exceptionally, and in my view are the epitome of grace under pressure.
Mr. Chair and colleagues, the Government of Canada takes its responsibilities in all aspects of this mission extremely seriously. Let there be no mistake: the work that has been done by the Canadian Forces has been done with dignity and with integrity, and I am proud in every way to associate myself with their actions.
Colleagues, I look forward to your questions. Thank you.