Evidence of meeting #7 for Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was detainees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
I'm not suggesting that Mr. Ahmadshah Malgarai was not dedicated to his translator job, but there were some other issues.
Mr. Buchan, at the time the supplementary arrangement was being developed, were you satisfied that you were able to contribute and in fact roll Mr. Colvin's concerns into the arrangement? Did you feel there was a good spirit of cooperation between DFAIT and the military and the other folks who drafted that arrangement?
4:50 p.m.
Former Political Director, Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team, Department of National Defence
Yes. At that time and at other times in theatre, I have been very satisfied with the degree of cooperation of DFAIT, DND, CIDA, the Correctional Services, and the RCMP. We really do have a whole-of-government team operating in theatre.
We're doing things we have never done in the past. We're learning sometimes as we go along, but we're delivering real results. I think April 2007 is a good indicator of that. We brought the expertise in from the Correctional Services. You had DFAIT as the assigned monitoring agency, you had the RCMP standing by to provide technical assistance, and you had DND providing security.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
How do you respond to the criticism that Canada has turned a blind eye to torture? Is that statement remotely possible or true, in either one of your estimations?
4:50 p.m.
Former Political Director, Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team, Department of National Defence
It's something that touches me. It offends me, because as I said in my statement, had I been conscious at any stage in my assignment of the abuse of Canadian detainees, I would have reported that to headquarters and would not have rested until something had been done.
4:50 p.m.
MGen Timothy Grant
Based on my responsibility to make the decision, I did not make a blanket decision. Each and every detainee was special. I looked at it that way and wanted to make sure that the right decision was taken at the time.
I can't speak for the whole of government, but I can speak for those I knew in theatre. I think we did the right thing. I know we did the right thing.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you very much.
We'll have to leave it there. We have votes coming up and another individual who will appear before our committee.
I certainly want to thank both of you for coming and for your professionalism. I think all of us care very much about the men and women who represent our country and all the values we hold so dear. Many times the diplomats and those who are behind the scenes are kind of forgotten in the fact that we're talking about soldiers, and we've had both represented here today.
Thank you for your long career with the Canadian armed forces, General Grant. It's a career you can be very proud of, and I can certainly say we're very proud of you.
It's the same with you, Mr. Buchan. Thank you for your honesty today and for the passion you have that Canada did the right thing.
Thank you very much.
[Proceedings continue in camera]