Ottawa commits to non-combat role in Afghanistan after 2011

The federal government has confirmed the details of Canada’s mission to Afghanistan after its participation in combat operations ends in 2011. The training and development components of the mission will require at least 950 military personnel to remain in Afghanistan until 2014. According to Defence Minister Peter MacKay, no Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan will serve in a combat role after July 2011, nor will they be training Afghan troops in the field. The new mission is expected to cost up to $500 million per year, with a one-time initial expenditure of $85 million for rollout. The government will spend another $300 million over three years on development and aid. "We shall dedicate ourselves to development, diplomacy, and a non-combat role in training members of the Afghan national security forces," Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said on Tuesday.

CBC News