Lawrence Cannon

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in the case of allegations, senior Canadian Forces leadership immediately ordered investigations into all of these. The Canadian Forces make sure that any allegation put forward is looked into, and all of these investigations determine whether or not the allegations are founded or unfounded, but up to now, all allegations have been unfounded.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, first, we have complied with the initial agreement to transfer all documents that we were allowed by law to release. We have done that.

Second, a few weeks ago, we announced that Justice Frank Iacobucci will also be undertaking an independent, comprehensive review of the documents related to Taliban detainees.

With what we have done, I think that light can be shed on the matter, and this light will—

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely not the case. Almost three years ago, we corrected a situation and replaced the existing agreement on the transfer of detainees. The Canadian process of transferring Taliban detainees to the authorities has evolved and improved over the years.

Let us not forget how much this was criticized when the Liberals were in power. We replaced that system with a more robust and rigorous system that allows transferred detainees to be visited at any time.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the opposition have asked us for the documents many times. We have made these documents public. We have transferred the documents that we are allowed to make public by law. Such documents have been made public in the past and we will continue to make them public.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat, the members across the floor asked us to table the documents. We tabled them and we will continue to provide all legally available documents. We have also added the independent report of Justice Iacobucci, who will verify the work of the independent committee.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the government has always maintained that our representatives would provide all legally available documents. That is exactly what they have always done and what we will continue to do.

Retired Justice Iacobucci will also begin an independent and comprehensive review of the censorship of the documents concerning the detainees. As I have said, these documents were tabled without prejudice.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the government has always said that officials will provide all legally available documents. Officials have done so in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Redactions are done by independent, non-partisan public servants whose only interest is the application of the law and protection of national security.

[Afghanistan, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, if instead the hon. member would listen to the answers, he would know that I said “military”. So, I will repeat it again. Allow me to point out to the hon. member that Canada's military mission will end in 2011.

[Afghanistan, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to point out again that our military mission will end in 2011, as agreed, as mentioned in the Speech from the Throne, and as has been repeated time and again in this House and elsewhere. It is clear: in 2011, we will no longer be there.

[Afghanistan, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I will reassure the Leader of the Opposition once again: our military mission will end in 2011, as we indicated in the throne speech.

After that, Canada will continue to maintain diplomatic relations and monitor development through its embassy in Kabul, as we do in other countries.