Minister Steven Fletcher Opens Afghanistan Exhibit at the Red River Exhibition

June 14, 2009

(Winnipeg, June 14, 2009) — Today, Minister of Democratic Reform and Member of Parliament for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, Steven Fletcher, officially opened Afghanistan360, the Government of Canada’s new multimedia exhibit on Canada’s combined total civilian and military work in Afghanistan, currently on display at the Red River Exhibition—the first public stop in its cross Canada tour.  In the company of civilians and Canadian Forces soldiers who have served in Afghanistan, Minister Fletcher toured the exhibit, which also features the ability to record short video messages to currently serving civilians and soldiers.
 
"Our government made a commitment to communicate more frequently on Afghanistan.  This exhibit, which is traveling across Canada, shows the courageous work being done by our civilians and soldiers in Afghanistan," said Minister Steven Fletcher. "All Canadians can take pride in the work their fellow citizens are doing to make a difference in the lives of Afghans.  I invite all Manitobans to come out to the Red River Exhibition to visit the Afghanistan360 exhibit," continued Minister Fletcher.
 
The exhibit offers Canadians the opportunity to learn about progress in the six focused areas in which Canada is providing assistance in Afghanistan:  training Afghan National Security Forces, assisting the Government of Afghanistan in providing basic services to its population, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance, enhancing border security, facilitating political reconciliation, and helping the Afghan government to increase the capacity for democratic governance and national institutions.
 
The exhibit also showcases Canada’s three signature projects in Afghanistan—the rehabilitation of the second largest source of water for agricultural irrigation, the Dahla Dam, the rebuilding or construction of 50 schools in key districts of Kandahar province, and our effort, along with international health partners and other donor countries to work to eradicate polio from Afghanistan.
 
Minister of International Cooperation and Vice-Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, Bev Oda, officially launched the Afghanistan360 exhibit in early June in Whistler, BC at the annual meeting of Canada’s mayors.  Following the Red River Exhibition, Afghanistan360 will be at the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from June 27 to July 1 and at the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition from July 3 to 12.  For additional confirmed Afghanistan360 venues click on the Afghanistan360 button found at www.Afghanistan.gc.ca.