Canada’s New Government substantially boosts support for redevelopment

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced up to $200 million in new aid and development funding to further Canada’s reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

Thanks to the efforts of the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces, the fragile peace that reigns over most of the Afghanistan has now been extended to the Kandahar region.  It is now time to consolidate those gains on the ground and use them to advance reconstruction.

Today’s funding, to be disbursed this year and next on top of Canada’s annual allocation of $100 million to development activities in Afghanistan, will flow to five priority areas:

• governance and development ($120 million);
• counter-narcotics ($30 million);
• policing ($20 million);
• de-mining ($20 million); and
• road construction ($10 million). 

This funding from Canada’s New Government will go to support proven Afghan national programs that:

• Promote rural development and encourage community involvement in project selection and design;
• Pay salaries of teachers, health workers and police to ensure that basic government services are provided; and
• Provide small loans to help the Afghani people start small businesses that will help support their families and build their communities.

And Canada’s New Government will also table a progress report in the House of Commons today outlining the gains made by the U.N.-mandated, NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and the challenges that lie ahead.

This report from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and International Cooperation fulfills a commitment -- made by Canada’s New Government last Spring when the House of Commons voted to extend  the Afghanistan mission -- to keep Canadians fully informed.

Through a concerted, multi-lateral, multi-faceted effort, Canada is helping to build a secure, democratic and economically viable Afghan state.

Canada’s New Government remains steadfast in our commitment to the mission in Afghanistan. We will not set arbitrary deadlines; we will stay until Canada’s job is done.

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