The financial aspect of the Afghan war

The Canadian army’s involvement in Afghanistan has had many impacts on Canada. One of these impacts is the price that Canada has to pay to fund the army. The government must pay for food, water, weapons, medical supplies, the soldier’s salary and many other expenses. At the beginning of our involvement, the government estimated that the war would cost Canada 4 to 7 billion dollars. Since 2002, our involvement has cost Canada 8 billion dollars. Furthermore, members of government estimate that by our withdrawal from the war in 2011, the total cost of our involvement may surpass 18 billion dollars. Imagine what that money could be used for in Canada. That amount is equivalent to 1500 dollars per Canadian household! The cost of the involvement by the military was extremely underestimated. For all the Canadian population knows, the governement could have made another mistake in their estimation which could result in a raise in Canadian taxes. The financial consequences of our mission are very serious. Throughout the mission, Canada’s goal has been to protect the Afghan citizens and improve their society, yet it is having a strong impact on Canada. Canada must withdraw the army from Afghanistan in order to stabilize the Canadian financial situation.

-Rowan