Following allegations that Canada’s last ambassador to Afghanistan fled the country in a half-full military aircraft, MPs are demanding they be able to see the flight logs, says Blacklock’s Reporter..And the Liberals revealed Ambassador Reid Sirrs received military help in Kabul months before fleeing..“These questions are about the ones left behind,” Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (South Surrey-White Rock, B.C.) told a hearing of the Commons Special Committee on Afghanistan..“Although many were brought out, many were left behind.”.The Canadian Armed Forces in public statements at the time said cabinet approved military intervention last July 30. Kabul fell to the Taliban August 15, the same day Sirrs fled the city..“They left in a pretty big hurry,” said MP Findlay..Records show some 1,250 Canadians were left behind in addition to thousands of Afghan nationals who aided Canadians. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan testified he approved military deployment on April 1, 2021, months before Kabul fell..“When the request came from the Department of Foreign Affairs that they required greater assistance from the military for the security of our personnel doing assessments it was actually early April, April 1, when I approved the request,” testified Sajjan..“It was authorized the very next day,” he added..“We have heard testimony that when they left, they left in a plane what was only about half full. Can you confirm that?” asked Findlay..“I can’t confirm that. I do not recall the manifest or number of people on each aircraft,” replied Sajjan..The ambassador’s decision to close the embassy and flee the city was entirely his own, added Sajjan..“There were flights that left from Hamid Karzai International Airport that were not full flights,” said Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, Ont.)..“There were seats that were empty on these flights.”.New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) asked for a detailed accounting of all rescue flights..“How many flights were evacuated?” asked Kwan..“How many seats were on those flights and how many of those seats were filled with people? Then from there, of the people that filled the seats, how many of them were Afghan nationals and how many were people who worked for the embassy or were Canadian?”.Conservative MP Alex Ruff (Bruce-Grey, Ont.) said he feared for Canadians and allies trapped inside the country..“I do have firsthand experience on the ground in Afghanistan,” said Ruff, an Afghan War veteran..“I know how terrible the situation even in the best of times was. I’ve seen what the Taliban are capable of doing. That’s why I just think it is so vital that Canada does everything in our power to get these Afghans who are facing prosecution and threat to the Taliban, to get them out immediately. The focus needs to be on getting them out of the country.”.Sirrs was later quietly shuffled by the Liberals to be the ambassador to Argentina.
Following allegations that Canada’s last ambassador to Afghanistan fled the country in a half-full military aircraft, MPs are demanding they be able to see the flight logs, says Blacklock’s Reporter..And the Liberals revealed Ambassador Reid Sirrs received military help in Kabul months before fleeing..“These questions are about the ones left behind,” Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (South Surrey-White Rock, B.C.) told a hearing of the Commons Special Committee on Afghanistan..“Although many were brought out, many were left behind.”.The Canadian Armed Forces in public statements at the time said cabinet approved military intervention last July 30. Kabul fell to the Taliban August 15, the same day Sirrs fled the city..“They left in a pretty big hurry,” said MP Findlay..Records show some 1,250 Canadians were left behind in addition to thousands of Afghan nationals who aided Canadians. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan testified he approved military deployment on April 1, 2021, months before Kabul fell..“When the request came from the Department of Foreign Affairs that they required greater assistance from the military for the security of our personnel doing assessments it was actually early April, April 1, when I approved the request,” testified Sajjan..“It was authorized the very next day,” he added..“We have heard testimony that when they left, they left in a plane what was only about half full. Can you confirm that?” asked Findlay..“I can’t confirm that. I do not recall the manifest or number of people on each aircraft,” replied Sajjan..The ambassador’s decision to close the embassy and flee the city was entirely his own, added Sajjan..“There were flights that left from Hamid Karzai International Airport that were not full flights,” said Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, Ont.)..“There were seats that were empty on these flights.”.New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) asked for a detailed accounting of all rescue flights..“How many flights were evacuated?” asked Kwan..“How many seats were on those flights and how many of those seats were filled with people? Then from there, of the people that filled the seats, how many of them were Afghan nationals and how many were people who worked for the embassy or were Canadian?”.Conservative MP Alex Ruff (Bruce-Grey, Ont.) said he feared for Canadians and allies trapped inside the country..“I do have firsthand experience on the ground in Afghanistan,” said Ruff, an Afghan War veteran..“I know how terrible the situation even in the best of times was. I’ve seen what the Taliban are capable of doing. That’s why I just think it is so vital that Canada does everything in our power to get these Afghans who are facing prosecution and threat to the Taliban, to get them out immediately. The focus needs to be on getting them out of the country.”.Sirrs was later quietly shuffled by the Liberals to be the ambassador to Argentina.
