Edmonton, AB – The Honourable Laurie Hawn, MP for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, returned to Canada today from a four day trip, including two nights in Afghanistan, visiting Canadian Forces (CF) Personnel over the holiday season. This is the fifth straight year MP Hawn has spent Christmas Day with the troops in Afghanistan.
MP Hawn was accompanied by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Canadian entertainment icon Don Cherry. The trip was led by Chief of Defence Staff, General Walter Natynczyk. The team’s trip was unfortunately delayed one day due to the repatriation of Cpl. Steve Martin, killed Dec. 18 by a roadside bomb.
MP Hawn spent two days and visited with the troops at Kandahar Airfield, as well as spending time “outside the wire” with troops at five forward operating locations in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province. He took the opportunity to talk to the troops, present two banners signed by Edmonton school children, deliver letters, and present autographed jerseys from the Oilers and the Eskimos to two deserving Edmonton soldiers. He can report that the troops are in good spirits and heard first-hand evidence of considerable progress in capacity building in areas of schools and governance. It is clear that the Afghans are gaining confidence in their ability to manage their own affairs in all areas.
Naturally, Don Cherry was a hit with the troops and he joined MP Hawn and others as they served Christmas dinner in the field. They also observed first-hand the very evident professionalism of our soldiers at all locations in Kandahar province, after travelling by Canadian Chinook helicopter between bases. MP Hawn also got the chance to spend time with some of the American troops working under Canadian command in the area.
“I know from personal experience how important it is for the troops to be supported by the Chief of the Defence Staff and by the Minister of National Defence, especially over the holidays. Our troops are making an incredible difference in the lives of the Afghan people and I know all Canadians are proud of the work they are doing,” said MP Hawn.
MP Hawn also learned more about the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Kandahar, where development work is proceeding in earnest. This past quarter from July 1 to September 30, 2010, Canada continued to make progress on its six priorities and three signature projects. Canada continues its progress on rehabilitating the Dahla Dam and irrigation system to produce a secure supply of water to Kandaharis and has now completed the construction of, or expanded 26 schools. An estimated six million children are now in school; one third of them girls – the highest enrolment rate in the country’s history.
“I hope that if anyone sees a CF member over this holiday season, they take a few moments to shake their hand and thank them for the tremendous work they do to keep Canadians safe at home and abroad.”