Afghanistan Task Force

The Deputy Minister, Afghanistan Task Force, provides advice and support to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan in the delivery of a strategic plan to transform Canada’s role in Afghanistan.

This work is shaped by the five key recommendations made by the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan. The task force has a mandate for:

• strategic policy development and integration;
• coordination of the Government’s activities and operations in Afghanistan; and
• communications and tracking implementation follow-up to ensure coherence across Government activities. 

It also provides secretariat support to the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan.

A 25-member task force has been staffed with key personnel with the relevant capacities from Foreign Affairs and International Trade, National Defence, Treasury Board, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Privy Council Office.

Key deliverables for the task force include:

• preparing a renewed diplomatic strategy, to be led by the Prime Minister, to advance Canada’s goals in Afghanistan;
• supporting the Prime Minister’s efforts to secure an additional battle group and key equipment;
• designing a reprofiled development assistance program to enhance the profile and resonance of Canada’s contribution in Kandahar;
• establishing metrics for measuring progress toward each of these deliverables; and
• redesigning Government communications on Afghanistan.

Further Reading

The Role and Structure of the Privy Council Office (November 2008)

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