Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, I've come up with a statement that I think reflects each and every Canadian. I firmly believe that each and every Canadian supports our men and women, whether they're serving within our country, addressing disasters, etc., or whether they're serving abroad in any mission.
I find it very sad and very awkward in some of the statements that were made, which I'll address in a minute.... But before I do that, I take this opportunity to answer my good friend Ms. Gallant, who asked about the former Liberal government unilaterally making a decision to implement the three-D policy. She's absolutely correct. And for the record, after consultation with the international stakeholders, the Liberal government of the day did make a unilateral decision to commit our men and women to Afghanistan under the three-D policy.
But the question that Canadians have today is this: less than three months into the mission--and I will ask the question of the guests as well--why did we expand the mission, and why did this government not also take a unilateral decision and let Canadians judge for themselves, as opposed to needing a vote?
In essence, that goes back to a comment that Dr. Bland made, which is polarizing. I will start with that comment, sir. It's comments like this that really aren't necessary at times like this. I'll quote you: “I find it distasteful when people for whatever purpose use the casualty count to prop up their ideological interests, but I find it especially regrettable when they do so in order to win a few seats in parliament.”
I speak on behalf of each and every parliamentarian. Let me assure you, sir, that it's not a matter of seats, it's a matter of doing the right thing for our country and for the international community.
Mr. Chairman, there were several questions from both sides of our panel, and on several occasions Dr. Bland said he didn't know the answer. But he also said we don't need to bring in older men with grey hair and suits, that we should bring in the soldiers on the mission. So I ask, what is he doing here?