Stephen Harper's far right neo-Conservative government sends sick Canadian troops to fight war in Afghanistan

by David Stein

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor must get to the bottom of reports that Canadian soldiers suffering from mental illness are being deployed in Afghanistan, Liberal Defence Critic Denis Coderre said on March 5, 2007.

"The Afghanistan mission is among the fiercest combat our soldiers have ever seen, so it's no wonder some of our troops are suffering the psychological effects," said Mr. Coderre.

"It is incumbent upon the Conservative government to look into the matter. Canadians deserve to know the impact the Afghanistan mission is having on our soldiers and their families, and to be assured that they are receiving the treatment they need."

A report in Monday's Globe and Mail indicates that the Canadian military is sending soldiers to Afghanistan who are suffering from mental conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

When Mr. O'Connor asked Forces medical authorities about the psychological effects of the Afghanistan mission on Canadian troops this past November, the response he received was far from conclusive: "The impact the Afghanistan mission is having on our soldiers is not yet known," the authorities said in a briefing note.

Mr. Coderre noted that last fall Mr. O'Connor committed that his government would ensure that soldiers receive proper treatment when they return from missions.

"The Defence Minister and his government must dig deeper and get some real answers. Is it appropriate to send soldiers back to Afghanistan if they have not received the proper treatment? Canadians deserve to know the truth, and our soldiers deserve the very best care we can give them," said Mr. Coderre.

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