I participated in a conference call with Jack Layton last Wednesday. I asked a question, similiar to the title of the post, and Brad Lavigne (Director of Communications) gave a great answer. Shortly after the conference call, Jack Layton sent out a mass email to supporters. I think this email answers my question very well too, so I am sharing it:

—————————————————————–

I am writing further to your previous correspondence on Canada’s mission
in Afghanistan.

Many Canadians have written to me during the last few months in support
for the NDP’s position on Afghanistan. This support is greatly
appreciated. I firmly believe that we are a nation of facilitators not
occupiers, we are a people committed to the ideals of building bridges
not burning them and we must not allow that legacy of good work to
falter.

A good opposition not only opposes, but proposes. So in that spirit, I
want you to know about the NDP’s made-in-Canada plan for Afghanistan. An
NDP-led federal government would:

- Give notice that Canada will withdraw from the search-and-kill combat
mission in Kandahar.
- Work with NATO partners, the Afghan government, and other affected
parties to find a political solution through capacity building and a
comprehensive peace process.
- Focus Canada’s role in Afghanistan on humanitarian aid, reconstruction
and development, with appropriate security measures.

In contrast to our plan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has silenced
Canada’s independent voice on foreign policy. Following the previous
Liberal government’s path, today’s Conservatives have turned their backs
on our respected, proven peace-building and peace-keeping traditions by
committing Canadian troops to the aggressive search-and-kill combat
mission in southern Afghanistan which is fuelling the escalation of
violence. From the emails and letters I receive it is clear that
everyday Canadians know that:

- This Bush-style combat mission will not create the conditions for
long-term security.
- The mission is ill-defined, unbalanced, and without a clear exit
strategy.
- For every $1 in humanitarian aid and reconstruction, the Conservative
government is spending $9 on military combat in Afghanistan.

The fact of the matter is that the discussion at hand should be about if
this mission is the right role for Canada and - not - which Party
supports our troops. If you have not done so already, I invite you to
sign our on-line petition, Support our troops. Bring ‘em home, which can
be found at: http://www.ndp.ca/page/4121.

Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this troubling matter. I would
like to take this opportunity to encourage you to pass along this email.
All the best.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats

“they were shocked and they were awed and they were blown in half” - Fun & Games, Barenaked Ladies

The BBC has a story on their website that states that 655,000 Iraqi civilians have died since conflict began in 2003, who would otherwise be alive if no conflict had taken place. And with 4000 Iraqi police officers dead within the past 2 years, it’s hard to say this is not a civil war.

Thanks to leftdog for pointing out that the number of deaths of Iraqi civilians is greater than the population of Winnipeg.