January 28 to February 13, 2008 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal leader Stéphane Dion are approaching a compromise on the future of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
Harper set a conciliatory tone and Dion eventually dropped his long held demand that Canada exit combat operations in February 2009.
January 22, 2008 - The Manley Panel recommends Canada remain in Afghanistan until the local government can maintain its own security, contingent on NATO providing additional troops and equipment in Kandahar.
Stephen Harper appointed former Liberal Deputy Prime Minister John Manley in October to head the independent panel considering Canada’s future role in Afghanistan.
Despite the report, Stéphane Dion holds to his position that Canada should end its combat role when it expires in February 2009.
Stéphane Dion responded to speculation the government may prorogue the current session of parliament in order to set a new agenda with a Throne Speech this fall. Any progress on un-passed bills would be lost, unless the government took steps to reintroduce the bills into the new session.
Dion asked the government to carry forward Bill C-30, The Clean Air and Climate Change Act, should they decide to prorogue. Dion also re-stated his demand that the Canada immediately notify its NATO allies that it will end its combat mission in Afghanistan when it expires in 2009.
However, Dion would not commit to defeating the government over these issues, or to supporting a Bloc Québécois threat to bring down the government over Canada’s role in Afghanistan.
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