Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna - Lake Country thanks His Excellency Hamid Karzai the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for his address to Parliament. Ron was pleased to meet President Karzai and to welcome him to Canada. Ron personally shook hands and thanked both the Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Karzai for their inspirational and passionate words.

“President Karzai expressed hope for his homeland and outlined clearly the many ways in which Canada is having success in assisting the Afghan people.”

“This speech made me proud to be Canadian as President Karzai made several references to Canada as the model for Afghanistan, closing with the statement that, ‘we in Afghanistan have embraced the vision of a prosperous and pluralistic society which Canada so richly embodies.’”

“Hearing both the Prime Minister and President Karzai speak reaffirmed to me, and I hope to all Canadians, that this mission is the right mission for Canada and worthy of our collective efforts.”

“I think that there can be no doubt after today that Canada is making progress and we can be proud of the good work our men and women in uniform as well as humanitarian workers are doing in Afghanistan”

“President Karzai’s remarks speak volumes about the courage, commitment and dedication of the men and women of our armed forces, including members from our very own community who service in the BC Dragoons and National Forces.”

“I thought it was encouraging that President Karzai committed to reducing narcotic productions through the eradication of poppy growing in Afghanistan and the replacement of the drug trade with legitimate means of production. President Karzai has demonstrated he is a responsible player on the international stage.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper commented, “Our job in Afghanistan is not done. As Canadians, we will stay the course until our work there is complete.”

Ron responded by saying, “Through the strength and stability of our own peace we can, in good conscience, help Afghanistan reclaim its own right to peace.”