Canada Afghan Mission $18 Billion

By the year 2011, the war in Afghanistan will cost Canadians about $18 billion, or about $1,500 per household. Kevin Page the parliamentary budget officer fears that the costs might be much more. Page is an independent non-partisan watchdog of Parliament. Page says that the budget for the war does not meet the standards. Page says that "He estimated that Canada is spending as much as $200 million each month in Afghanistan, where 97 soldiers, one diplomat and two aid workers have died." The Conservative government had managed to make a rough estimate of $8 billion, however that did not include many of the after effect costs. "Page’s forecast provides a range, suggesting the final bill could be anywhere between $14 billion and $18 billion, but it is based on the assumption that the current deployment of 2,500 troops and support staff remains the same. If the mission expands, so will the costs."

I think that the expenses that are being paid for this war are ridiculous. However, I find it more ridiculous that Canadians were not given a clear estimate of what the costs would be. It seems that the Conservative government will have under guessed the estimate cost by almost half of what it will turn out to be. I think that this is also one of the biggest issues in the upcoming election and that the government who has the best way pertaining to this issue, may be victorious.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada%20/article/514700