A Liberal MP is complaining about political interference in a Commons Defence Committee visit to Afghanistan.
Ujjal Dosanjh is upset that Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has restricted the eight MPs to the airbase in Kandahar.
"We're going to see first-hand the reconstruction on the ground and how our soldiers are securing the environment so development can happen," Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant told reporters on arrival.
However, that "first-hand" part wasn't quite true. "The limitations on where they can go have been directed by the minister," said Gen. Tim Grant, commander of Task Force Afghanistan, on Tuesday.
"This is a parliamentary committee and I think it's highly improper of the minister to manipulate what the committee sees or doesn't see," Dosanjh said.
"They are not going to be allowed to go out and see the reconstruction and visit the reconstruction base in the middle of Kandahar," reported CTV News' Paul Workman from Kandahar.
Isabelle Bouchard, the minister's spokeswoman, said the committee was told beforehand that road travel was too dangerous and that any travel outside the air base must be by air.
"The people on the ground, they must request helicopter support because Canada does not own this kind of helicopter in theatre,'' she told The Canadian Press.
No allies could provide helicopters at this time because of operational factors, she said.
"We were surprise to hear" their complaints "because they were well aware of what they were getting into," Bouchard said.
Grant said the military would try to find some helicopter time. "If they could see the (reconstruction) projects, it would be an added bonus,'' he said.
In Quebec City, Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre scoffed at the government's explanations.
"It's OK when a minister of the Conservative party is going there, there's security for him but there's no security for our members of Parliament who want to go? Is that what we're saying?" he told reporters.
Pre-arranged briefings
The delegation arrived at Kandahar Airfield on Tuesday aboard a Canadian Forces transport plane for a three-day visit.
They will spend time listening to a series of prearranged briefings on all aspects of the war and reconstruction efforts.
While aid workers and soldiers will come to them, the committee will not be allowed to meet with any local Afghan leaders.
Committee member and Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett had said she wanted to see the Conservative government's so-called three-D approach -- defence, development and diplomacy -- in action.
She brought some maple syrup shortbread for the troops.
"We're not going to see much, but maybe that will change,'' New Democrat defence critic Dawn Black said.
Black, whose party has called for the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan, said she doesn't think she'll face resentment from soldiers.
She said she will keep an open mind about the mission during her visit. She still wants to meet with Afghan officials.
"It's not on the itinerary, but we'll see,'' Black said. "I've got a number of questions to ask them.''
Grant said they will try to accommodate the request, but warned many Afghan officials aren't out of the area.
Aside from Black, Dosanjh and Gallant, the committee members are Rick Casson (Conservative), Carolyn Bennett (Liberal), Claude Bachand (Bloc), Steven Blaney (Conservative) and Joe McGuire (Liberal).
With a report from CTV's Paul Workman and files from The Canadian Press
