As Canada ticks down towards an expected election call, the Conservative government is setting out some benchmarks for measuring progress in Afghanistan.
"In June, we announced our six strategic priorities. The 21 benchmarks we are announcing today will help us better track how we are doing on those priorities," Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson said Friday in a news release.
"They will help us clearly report to Canadians the progress being made in Afghanistan. They are all about improving accountability and transparency in keeping with the recommendations made in the report of the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan."
One of the "signature" projects announced in June is the refurbishment of the Dalah irrigation dam on the Arghandab River -- something that comes with a $50-million price tag.
A benchmark for that project is the creation of 10,000 seasonal jobs. The government estimates that restoring the dam could mean the irrigation of another 10,000 hectares in the fertile Arghandab Valley.
Some other "numerical" benchmarks for things the government wants to accomplish in Kandahar province before the combat mission ends in 2011:
- building or repairing 50 schools
- training up to 3,000 teachers
- working towards eradicating polio in Kandahar province by the end of 2009
However, the government cautioned it won't be able to quantify everything.
"Measuring progress in a conflict zone is not an easy task; the ability to make and report on progress is affected by the security situation, and progress may not always be evident or measurable on a quarterly basis," it said.
However, the government did promise to "report frankly" to Canadians.
Security is a major problem in Kandahar province, with the clearest evidence being the deaths of three Canadian soldiers on Wednesday after a Taliban assault on their armoured personnel carrier.
The government didn't set out specific targets for the Afghan National Army or police, but it did promise quantitative targets in those areas.
The announcement comes one day after a Harris-Decima poll for The Canadian Press found that 61 per cent of respondents believe the mission in Afghanistan is costing too much in lives and money.
In Halifax, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said the government remains committed to the mission despite the poll's findings.
MacKay, attending a military trade show, said Friday he believes it's important for Canada to be part of a global effort to combat terrorism.
He also hoped the Taliban wouldn't use the federal election, widely expected to be called on Sunday, as an excuse to increase attacks on Canadian troops in Kandahar.
The Taliban are informed about what is happening in Canada and other parts of the world, MacKay said.
With files from The Canadian Press
