Greater Toronto
Habibullah Qaderi, Consul General for Afghanistan in Toronto, right consults with Ontario's Minister of Immigration Dr. Eric Hoskiss while Hassan Hotaki, publisher of the Afghan Times looks on. (William Doyle-Marshall pix)
Afghanistan, Europe and Jamaica in Canada’s safety network
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair
By William Doyle-Marshall
The Government of Afghanistan is grateful to the Government and people of Canada for the tremendous help in the ongoing war against terrorism. Habibullah Qaderi, Consul General for Afghanistan thanked Canada for its help during a year-end media function.
The Afghan consular official admitted that Canada has been helping Afghanistan economically, militarily and in the field of training the police and the military since the post 911 tragedy.
Qaderi said Afghanistan needs Canada’s continued support. “So far they have done a great job. They have not only given money and support but they have also given in losses as their children, sons and daughters are fighting the war in Afghanistan,” the Consul General added.
Currently the Toronto Police Service (TPS) has nine officers in Afghanistan who are working and training the Afghani police, Toronto Police Chief William Blair said. He considers the assignment an important contribution to world peace and world safety. In addition TPS works collaboratively with the Jamaican Constabulary Force and other forces right around the world.
Canadian Air Force Commander Lieutenant-General André Deschamps announced in the fall that the new F-35 fighter jets being acquired by Canada will be deployed in Afghanistan, which is a big international focus for Canada right now until next summer. Approximately 450 air force personnel are deployed there in the Theatre of War.
The 65 new jets will be received around 2017. “By the year 2020 they will have replaced all of our other combat aircraft,” Deschamps said. He described them as undoubtedly the plane of the next generation that constitute a tremendous technological leap, combining stealth with ability to absorb information coming from various sensors, and the ability to use aircraft systems and other additional platforms.
In a year-end interview with Indo Caribbean World Chief Blair confessed there are serious concerns about drugs coming to the city from places like Afghanistan. Noting that the world has become a very small place, Chief Blair said the nature of trans national organized crime means criminals do not respect the borders of countries. Consequently a conflict or a criminal activity anywhere in the world does impact Toronto. “We have seen lots of evidence of that but we’ve also tried to reach outside of our city and to work in those places that are facing those challenges,” Blair explained.
The Service’s international network includes liaising with the Royal Bahamian Police, European Police Departments, including the Netherlands. Two years ago an Assistant Commissioner of Bahamas worked with TPS as part of its command staff for a year. Officers from various European Police Departments have been attached to the Toronto Service as well building a partnership network right around the world. This helps Toronto address some of the challenges those services face that can impact on Toronto.
Chief Blair also talked with Indo Caribbean World about his recent visit to Jamaica as the guest of the Jamaica Government in which he learnt a great deal during meetings with the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Leader of the Opposition and top brass of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Police brass talked about trans national organized crime and how it impacts both Canada and Jamaica. Blair admitted the Jamaica Constabulary and Toronto Police Service work closely together because they have common interests regarding the safety of both communities.
Blair cited the recent major bust of an Internet Child luring Exploitation scheme called Project Sanctuary. TPS worked with police services in the U.S. and around the world to apprehend individuals who are exploiting kids, those vulnerable people in society. “Although we police very well locally in the neighbourhood - we have neighbourhood cops who are in the schools and in the neighbourhoods and in the parks and working with people in the local neighbourhood - we are also working on the international level to ensure the safety of all our citizens,” Blair assured. This, as well as working in Afghanistan is also part of the Service’s commitment.
The Government of Afghanistan is grateful to the Government and people of Canada for the tremendous help in the ongoing war against terrorism. Habibullah Qaderi, Consul General for Afghanistan thanked Canada for its help during a year-end media function.
The Afghan consular official admitted that Canada has been helping Afghanistan economically, militarily and in the field of training the police and the military since the post 911 tragedy.
Qaderi said Afghanistan needs Canada’s continued support. “So far they have done a great job. They have not only given money and support but they have also given in losses as their children, sons and daughters are fighting the war in Afghanistan,” the Consul General added.
Currently the Toronto Police Service (TPS) has nine officers in Afghanistan who are working and training the Afghani police, Toronto Police Chief William Blair said. He considers the assignment an important contribution to world peace and world safety. In addition TPS works collaboratively with the Jamaican Constabulary Force and other forces right around the world.
Canadian Air Force Commander Lieutenant-General André Deschamps announced in the fall that the new F-35 fighter jets being acquired by Canada will be deployed in Afghanistan, which is a big international focus for Canada right now until next summer. Approximately 450 air force personnel are deployed there in the Theatre of War.
The 65 new jets will be received around 2017. “By the year 2020 they will have replaced all of our other combat aircraft,” Deschamps said. He described them as undoubtedly the plane of the next generation that constitute a tremendous technological leap, combining stealth with ability to absorb information coming from various sensors, and the ability to use aircraft systems and other additional platforms.
In a year-end interview with Indo Caribbean World Chief Blair confessed there are serious concerns about drugs coming to the city from places like Afghanistan. Noting that the world has become a very small place, Chief Blair said the nature of trans national organized crime means criminals do not respect the borders of countries. Consequently a conflict or a criminal activity anywhere in the world does impact Toronto. “We have seen lots of evidence of that but we’ve also tried to reach outside of our city and to work in those places that are facing those challenges,” Blair explained.
The Service’s international network includes liaising with the Royal Bahamian Police, European Police Departments, including the Netherlands. Two years ago an Assistant Commissioner of Bahamas worked with TPS as part of its command staff for a year. Officers from various European Police Departments have been attached to the Toronto Service as well building a partnership network right around the world. This helps Toronto address some of the challenges those services face that can impact on Toronto.
Chief Blair also talked with Indo Caribbean World about his recent visit to Jamaica as the guest of the Jamaica Government in which he learnt a great deal during meetings with the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Leader of the Opposition and top brass of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Police brass talked about trans national organized crime and how it impacts both Canada and Jamaica. Blair admitted the Jamaica Constabulary and Toronto Police Service work closely together because they have common interests regarding the safety of both communities.
Blair cited the recent major bust of an Internet Child luring Exploitation scheme called Project Sanctuary. TPS worked with police services in the U.S. and around the world to apprehend individuals who are exploiting kids, those vulnerable people in society. “Although we police very well locally in the neighbourhood - we have neighbourhood cops who are in the schools and in the neighbourhoods and in the parks and working with people in the local neighbourhood - we are also working on the international level to ensure the safety of all our citizens,” Blair assured. This, as well as working in Afghanistan is also part of the Service’s commitment.