Debate over Canada's role in Afghanistan resumed in full force Monday when parliamentarians returned to the House of Commons.
Opposition parties pressed the prime minister to outline a withdrawal date for the Canadian military in the war-torn nation.
Deputy Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused the minority Conservative government of refusing to be straight about its intentions in Afghanistan.
"First the defence minister said Canada will be there until the progress is irreversible. Then he said we may withdraw by 2010 -- but only if certain conditions are met. Now we learn the Conservative cabinet hasn't even discussed the issue of withdrawal and won't do so until next year," Ignatieff, who was standing in for party leader Stephane Dion, said during question period on Monday.
The House of Commons narrowly approved last year an extension of the mission to February 2009. But there have been repeated questions about whether the Tories plan to keep soldiers there longer.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor added to the uncertainty by suggesting last week in an interview that soldiers would likely not be able to come home until 2010.
"There are too many different answers for the same basic question," said Ignatieff, "which is, 'How long are we going to be there?' When will this government begin to level with the Canadian people about its intentions in Afghanistan?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper refuted suggestions the government had been elusive on its plans.
"On the contrary, this government has been extremely clear. We bought forward a motion in this House to extend the current Afghanistan motion to 2009," Harper said.
The prime minister also added that the government has been clear that it would come to Parliament if it sought to extend the mission.
The Liberals also called on Harper to fire O'Connor, saying Canadians are demanding accountability, especially after eight soldiers were killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, in the bloodiest week for the Canadian army in Afghanistan.
O'Connor was quoted recently as saying we'll have to "cross our fingers" that it doesn't happen again.
On Sunday, O'Connor reiterated the government line that Canada is committed to maintaining its military presence in Afghanistan only through February 2009.
Any reconsideration of Canada's future in Afghanistan "hasn't even been discussed in cabinet and will not be discussed until sometime next year,'' he told CTV's Question Period.
