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Advance polls open for soldiers in Kandahar
CTV.ca News
Date: Saturday Oct. 4, 2008 3:27 PM ET
Election day for most voters is Oct. 14, but Canadians soldiers in Afghanistan have already started to cast their ballots.
Advance voting is now underway way at Kandahar Air Field and at forwarding operating bases in the country.
A military elections officer said there have been some challenges in getting ballots to soldiers in some of Afghanistan's more remote locations. But he noted that no Canadian soldier will be denied the right to vote.
Soldiers and Canadian civilians attached to military operations in Afghanistan will be able to cast their ballots -- for a candidate in his or her home riding -- until Oct. 8.
One soldier said the political parties' positions on Afghanistan were paramount in his voting process.
"The party that's going to support me the most while I'm over here is a big concern for me ... that's kind of the way I voted this year," Cpl. Dave MacDonald said.
Last March, Parliament overwhelmingly passed a motion to extend the military mission in Afghanistan to 2011.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said last month that Canada's military commitment in the country will end at that time.
The Liberals have also said the country's military focus in Afghanistan should end in 2011 and they had supported the Tories in the spring to extend the mission. The NDP had voted against extension.
More than 2,500 Canadian soldiers are based in Afghanistan.
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It is about time - as a grandparent I have watched our kids (who were allowed to fail although I do remember some nagging on our part) learn, I have watched our children now micro-manage their children. A big part of it is the fact that there are predators out there and an extreme reluctance on the parents part to alllow freedom that might result in the children becoming victims.
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Momma Bird
said
Mark Raymond
said
Many Canadians especially those living in Toronto have this foolish notion. Their sincerely believe that all it takes to end evil is to ban hand guns. Please forgiven them for their ignorance as this is the tripe their politicians feed them. Wake up Canadians. This isn't Hobbit Town.
Jeff from Calgary
said
I suspect Harper gets the majority of those votes. He has been much better for our military than the Liberals.
P.S. Whats wrong with the pistol? My legally owned pistol is on my table all the time, I give it a good cleaning after each trip to the range. I think it looks right at home there.
Paul Vancouver Island
said
kyle josey
said
rethink what you're saying...
The Afghan people are our friends, Canada's friends, therefore YOUR friends. now tell me, if your buddy was being beat down in front of your, are going to turn your back ? well in this case it seems you would, but Canada didn't.
We ARE there for a GOOD reason, i was there in 07 and fought along side the ANA more than once, and to see so many of them fight and possibly die for the good of their country was more than enough for me to lace up my boots and keep going.
Ryan in MB
said
Allison
said
I bet none of you have ever cried from hearing the national anthem. Some of you should really do more research before making comments like the ones posted here.
Ottawa soldier
said
People usually carry guns in war zones...get your heads out of the sand!
Sergeant Al
said
PS.
We are at war over there and are required to carry weapons (leaving it in the issued holster can be a little uncomfortable if sitting for a long time; note that the magazine is also removed)
Andy D (from TO)
said
Al - Harper didnt send our men & women into Afghanistan, thank Chretien for getting us in there and Martin for putting us in the most dangerous province. Thank Harper for giving our men & women the equipment they need to accomplish the mission.
Now let's stop politicizing the fact that in our great democracy our Men & Women in uniform half a world away still receive the ability to vote.
Dave
said
Eric in Edmonton (20 year veteran)
said
Harper all the way
said
Furthermore it's the Liberals that put them there and the Liberals have agreed to keep them there.
Rob Doyle
said
john in K-W
said
Sambro
said
Army Wife
said
I believe about 2500 soldiers ARE in Afghanistan right now on either Roto 5 or 6.
Be safe soldiers! Vote wisely!