Canada has a moral duty to support and protect Afghans who helped Canadian soldiers

The Canadian government is facing urgent calls to speed up its effort to save hundreds of former Afghan interpreters and their families as Western countries step up plans to evacuate Afghanistan after 20 years of war.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was asked if Canada has already shut down its embassy in Kabul, but she would not answer, citing operational security concerns.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says and diplomats and now find themselves in danger as the Taliban sweeps the country.

Freeland says the government's priority is ``supporting the brave Afghans who worked for Canada.''

But many veterans are frustrated and say the government isn't moving quickly enough to get the drivers, interpreters and others out.