EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Canadian Brig. Gen. Mark Skidmore says the nation's military has proposed a 50 percent increase in the time the country's troops spend in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a change of command ceremony in Edmonton, Alberta, the career soldier said Canada's military has proposed a three-month increase, bringing Afghanistan duty up to nine months, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
"If you're a member of the Canadian military, particularly a soldier with a skill set that's required in Afghanistan, and you haven't been yet, I think chances are very good that the opportunity is going to be there to serve," said Skidmore.
The military also recently revealed that all of its branches will be required to serve in Afghanistan to make Canada's goals in the region attainable.
"If your mission is only for one year, you have enough soldiers for the rotation. If your mission is for three years, you need more soldiers who can fight," Liberal defense critic Ujjal Dosanjh told the CBC. "It's that simple."
