LEVIS, Que. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper continued his campaign to drum up support for Canada's mission in Afghanistan at a concert on Saturday night near Quebec City.
"The situation of Canadians in Afghanistan is difficult and dangerous, but Quebecers can be proud of their soldiers,'' Harper said.
He made his comments at an annual concert of music and fireworks at the Levis Forts National Historic Site of Canada.
Harper lauded the Canadian military's humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, highlighting the construction of bridges, roads, schools and medical centres in the country.
The work of Canadians in Afghanistan has started to produce benefits, he said.
He said "Quebecers, in particular, can be very proud of the women and men of the Royal 22nd who are writing another glorious page in the history of this regiment.''
Six million Afghan children now have access to school and seven million were vaccinated for polio, he said.
Harper also said the country is more and more responsible for its own security.
"These advances have been realized because of the efforts of the men and women in uniform on the front lines,'' he said.
Harper paid homage to parents and spouses of troops stationed in Afghanistan. He gave paintings depicting the Canadian war memorial in Vimy, France to the parents of nine soldiers from Levis currently serving in Afghanistan.
The visit comes at time when the Conservative government has been heavily criticized in Quebec over Canada's role in Afghanistan. Recent polls suggested around 70 per cent of Quebecers oppose the mission.
