Why did Stephen Harper seek to extend Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan?

Stephen Harper’s government viewed the military mission in Afghanistan as a key component of its broader commitment to national and international security following the September 11 attacks in 2001.1

During his time as prime minister, Harper’s administration emphasized a policy agenda that included security as one of its four central pillars. The decision to extend the deployment of Canadian forces was rooted in this commitment to international counter-terrorism efforts and NATO operations. While the government initially secured parliamentary support for the mission's extension, the commitment faced significant political pressure over time due to rising casualties and public scrutiny. By 2008, this pressure led Harper to introduce a motion that established a firm withdrawal date for Canadian troops, and the final Canadian forces eventually departed the country in March 2014.123