Once again we mourn the loss of Canadian troops. Two more young men were killed this week in Afghanistan, how many more have to die before the government views our losses as unacceptable. The Green Party believes that Canada’s role in Afghanistan must shift back to more diplomacy, appropriate development and creative peace-building strategies. We support the UN sanctioned “Blue Helmet” reconstruction effort that focuses on rebuilding critical infrastructure destroyed through decades of war as well as providing continued training to the Afghanistan Army and Police forces so that they can fully take over from international security forces as soon as possible. Although it is a slow, long term process, diplomatic efforts must be increased to improve Afghanistan’s domestic governance mechanisms and democratic institutions.(from Vision Green)  I will be at the Simcoe St bridge today to honour our troops. Please join me.