Canadians don't fight elections over foreign policy?

I commonly see academic articles and text books on Canadian foreign policy make the argument that Canadians don't generally fight elections on foreign policy issues. Foreign policy usually does not grab the attention of the electorate, as it is usually far from their hearts, minds, and wallets. But Canadian history actually proves the pundits somewhat wrong - 1911 and Reciprocity, 1917 and conscription, 1926 and the King-Byng Affair, 63 and nukes, 88 and Free Trade.

Harper wants to take Canadians into an election on a foreign policy issue - Afghanistan. I guess he is assuming that the Manley report gives him a mandate to seek an automatic extension of the combat mission until 2011. He is of course wrong on that, given the conditions that Manley stipulated need be met before - including the oft-talked about 1000 NATO troops and heavy transport capacity, but also development of benchmark measures of efficiency and effectiveness (the latter requirement will be very difficult for him, much more than the first two). Until those conditions are met, the discussion of an extension of the combat mission based on the Manley Report is, IMO, moot.

But nonetheless Harper insists on making this into a confidence matter, and is seeking a mandate from the Canadian population. So I say, as do others, bring it on Steve.