The father of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan has urged federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion to support an extended mission in the embattled country. Jim Davis, who lost son Cpl. Paul Davis last year, was one of 200 Nova Scotia Liberals who attended a town hall meeting with Dion Wednesday night in Halifax.
Davis said Canada should extend its mission in Afghanistan past 2009 until that county has been rebuilt. "It would all be in vain if we pull out in '09 because I believe the Taliban will take over and we will have lost," he said. Canada's involvement in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan began in 2002.
Since then, 66 soldiers and one diplomat have died. Paul Davis, 28, was killed on March 2, 2006 when his armoured vehicle flipped over on a road near Kandahar. Six other soldiers and a local interpreter were injured.
Dion, who voted in May 2006 against extending Canada's mission, has repeatedly said he would oppose any extension beyond 2009. "Canada must be clear this time," Dion said in Halifax. "We must notify NATO that Canada's mission in Kandahar will end in February 2009.
" Despite his criticism of Dion, Davis said he will continue to support the Liberal party. He said Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been a failure when it comes to convincing Canadians the mission deserves their support.
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