The Bloc Québécois had already decided to introduce a motion calling for a debate on Afghanistan. The motion calls on the committee to examine the following, and I quote:
[...] the state of the personnel and materiel, the relationship between the mission's combat operations and its efforts to help reconstruct the country [...] with a view to determining whether it is possible to complete the mission successfully while still meeting Canada's other international obligations.
Obviously, this motion did not take into account the fact that the government, as you so aptly pointed out, had opted for another course of action. That is the government's prerogative. However, we believe the committee should continue doing that which the government should always have been doing. If we want to extend this mission, then we must be in a position to give our fellow citizens a status report.
We're reaching out to all parties. Earlier, my Liberal colleague said he would like the committee to table a unanimous report. Certainly, that would be best, but we need to take the time to stop and reflect, every time a human life is in danger.
I do not want our children's blood on my hands. I want a real debate so that we can focus in on the public's questions. That was the reason behind the motion tabled by the Bloc last week, before the government announced its intentions.
I believe the committee needs to continue examining this question. Ultimately, we will table our report. I hope leaders manage to agree on a course of action and that the government will act accordingly. We'll have to await the outcome of the report.
However, the committee's responsibility is to continue doing its job, a good job, as it has always done. We have a unique opportunity here to thoroughly examine this matter, on behalf of Canadians. It is an opportunity that is not to be missed.