Announces additional support to help 18,000 children in Kandahar

Prime Minister Stephen Harper travelled to Afghanistan, where he visited with Canadian Forces and civilian personnel stationed in Kandahar. The Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada is deepening its partnership with UNICEF and the Afghan Ministry of Education to invest in improved learning centres, construct new schools for 18,000 children in Kandahar, and provide funding for a 10-month literacy course for 2,500 women in the region. Read the news release.

In Focus: Human Rights

Improving Equality Between Men and Women in the Afghan Police Force

When Tonita Murray arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan in March 2005 she found only 160 women among the entire police force of 72, 000. In three years Tonita, a former Director General of the Canadian Police College, has turned that number around, one female recruit at a time. She also set in motion improved training and having women assume more responsibility in a wider variety of police units. This has resulted in a breakthrough in terms of greater recognition of gender equality rights by the Afghan police executive. To find out more.

Canada’s Response to the Shia Personal Status Law

On May 7, Yves Brodeur, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Afghanistan Task Force (ATF) for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Stephen Wallace, Vice–President of the ATF for the Canadian International Development Agency, appeared before the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan to discuss the controversial Shia Personal Status Law, a law that contravenes Afghanistan’s human rights obligations. The ATF representatives discussed Canada’s response to the law; the Afghan government’s commitment to review the law; and Canada’s broader approach to supporting Afghan efforts to promote and protect human rights – in particular women’s rights – in Afghanistan. Read remarks by Yves Brodeur and Stephen Wallace.

Afghan Women gain Economic Opportunity with a Helping Hand from Canada

While women in Afghanistan today are still among the most disadvantaged in the world, slowly their ability to explore and achieve improved economic potential is healthier and generates hope for a brighter future for them and their families. And that bodes well for all of Afghanistan. According to experts, there isn’t a better way to improve a country’s living conditions than by empowering women. To find out more.

What's New

Afghanistan Challenge: Canadians Matching Hope With Action

Since 2002, Canadians have been active in Afghanistan, helping to rebuild the country and in turn the lives of the men, women and children who live there. Canada is focusing on a targeted set of objectives consistent with Afghan objectives and the efforts of the international community. By going online to the Afghanistan Challenge website, Canadians can learn more about the projects that partners are working on in support of the needs of Afghans. To find out more.

Change of command at Canadian Expeditionary Force Command

Lieutenant-General Marc Lessard accepted the responsibility of defending and protecting Canada’s interests overseas as he became the new Commander of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM) during a ceremony at the Cartier Square Drill Hall. Lt.-Gen. Lessard replaces Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier. “Lieutenant-General Gauthier is an exceptional soldier whose dedication has cemented CEFCOM’s ability to carry out military operations ranging from humanitarian aid to combat missions,” said Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. To find out more.

Air Wing personnel help Afghan school

After his regular night shift with the team operating the Sperwer tactical unmanned air vehicle, Warrant Officer Ryan Seguin heads to his second shift with a party of volunteers from the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing. Today’s assignment – assembling desks and installing lockers at a local school. To find out more.

Minister of National Defence announces new projects in Afghanistan

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, recently visited with Canadian Forces (CF) members and Canadian civilian employees during his 8th trip to Afghanistan. While there, Minister MacKay met with Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, Commander of Task Force Kandahar, as well as Ken Lewis, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar, and other whole of government agencies. He also took the opportunity to take an aerial tour of the Arghandab Valley, the irrigation projects and the Dhala Dam. To find out more.

In keeping with Canada’s priorities on Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Challenge is an initiative that matches the funds raised by Canadian organizations, who are directly involved in the development effort in Afghanistan. By making small-scale donations over the Internet, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by their Government, Canadians are able to contribute to the development project of their choice, led and facilitated by Canadian partners.

How can I help Afghan women become independent and support their families?
Fund a scholarship for Afghan women

How can I help Afghans earn a living? Finance a micro-loan

How can I help build a school?
Support children's education

Action Diplomacy Video

One of Canada's six priorities for Afghanistan is to help advance Afghanistan's capacity for democratic governance by contributing to effective, accountable public institutions and electoral processes. Watch the video.

KPRT trains local Afghan National Police

Approximately 30 members of the Afghan National Police (ANP) are currently being trained by a team of Canadian police officers with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT) in preparation for joint operations with Task Force Kandahar, the Canadian contingent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). To find out more.

Pariamentary Special Committee - Afghan National Police

On April 30, Yves Brodeur, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Afghanistan Task Force (ATF) for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Raf Souccar, Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, appeared before the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan to provide an update on the Afghan National Police (ANP). The ATF representatives underscored their overview of the ANP and the challenges they face with a discussion of the international effort to strengthen the rule of law by building the capacity of the Afghan National Police to promote law and order; supported by justice and corrections capabilities. Read remarks by Yves Brodeur and Raf Souccar.

Change of command of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing

Colonel Bruce Ploughman replaced Col Christopher Coates as commander of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing. Col Ploughman’s most recent appointment before taking over the Wing was as commander of 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia. To find out more.

Change of command in Kandahar

As coalition aircraft streaked the sky over Kandahar Airfield, Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, OMM, CD, commanding officer of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, transferred the command of the Canadian battle group to Lieutenant-Colonel Jocelyn Paul, CD, A de C, of the 2nd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment (2 R22eR) Battle Group from Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Barrett, CD, commander of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) Battle Group since 15 September 2008. To find out more.

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