Much of the concern voiced by Canadian veterans had revolved around the fate of former interpreters and other support workers who supported Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan and are now stuck, unable to flee.
The Liberal government launched the special program in July after weeks of criticism from angry Canadian veterans upset Ottawa wasn't doing more to help
Veterans and refugee groups aren’t the only ones who have lamented the pace of the government’s efforts when it comes to helping Afghans escape to Canada, with opposition parties also joining the chorus of criticism in recent months.
The NDP has criticized what it believes is excessive bureaucracy imposed on desperate Afghans, while Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole tabled a motion calling for a special committee to review events leading up to the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.
MPs voted last month to establish the committee, which will also look at efforts to evacuate Canadian citizens stuck in Afghanistan as well as interpreters who helped the Armed Forces and other Canadian organizations.
But the Conservative motion was amended by the Bloc Quebecois, which said the committee’s primary objective should be to look at humanitarian assistance to help assist the Afghan people.
It also placed restrictions on documents to be released to the committee and said some, for example those that might compromise national security, could be redacted.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2021.
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