Sir, I don't think our national interests change. Almost by definition, national interests stay the same for long periods of time.
Canada's national interests are to defend our territory, our people. That's our first and basic national interest. It's true for any nation, anywhere.
The second national interest is that we want to be as well off economically as we can make ourselves. That continues.
The third national interest is that we are a democratic state. We have historically worked with our friends to protect and advance democracy and freedom. That, it seems to me, is what we are doing today in Afghanistan. The tactics may change. The reasons we're doing certain things may change. But in my view, the basic interest is and must remain the defence of freedom and democracy at home and in the world.