Our federal government may think most Canadians support its attack on senior diplomat and whistleblower Richard Colvin. I hope many Canadians will take the time to disabuse them of this notion.

Like any whistleblower, Colvin has put his career on the line simply to do the right thing. Conservative MPs on the parliamentary committee responded with a personal attack on his credibility.

Afghan detainees and all Canadians deserve a full public inquiry into the alleged torture of prisoners handed over to Afghan authorities by Canadian soldiers. Having ignored repeated messages about the issue, covered it up and shot the messenger, the government must at least do the right thing now.

Refusal to conduct a full inquiry, coupled with the government's previous inaction, will damage Canada's reputation abroad. It will endanger the safety of Canadian troops and NGOs in Afghanistan and other sensitive world theatres.

Margaux Finlayson

Victoria