Afstan: About time

The government will make an effort to explain the need for the war (though I bet it won't be called that).

With polls showing Canadians divided on the merits of the Afghan mission that has killed 43 Canadians so far, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor kicks off a cross-country speaking tour today in Vancouver.

In his speeches, O'Connor will explain the mission of Canada's 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.

"When Canadians find out what we are doing in Afghanistan ... they're more supportive of this mission," a senior department official said yesterday. "He (O'Connor) will give examples of the progress we are making."

O'Connor will deliver his speech in Toronto on Thursday...