OTTAWA - Canada's top soldier hinted Monday the Canadian Forces need more time in Afghanistan, saying they are working against the clock with the pullout set to begin in July, 2011.

“Time is always the enemy. People want effects right away and it's difficult,” Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk said at a Senate committee.

Though he later said the Canadian Forces are focused on the next 13 months until the pullout begins, Natynczyk pointed to his time in Iraq in 2004 and the improvements in governance since then, which he said were key.

“I could not have imagined the game changer that occurred through the surge through '07-'08,” he said.

“In Afghanistan today, the real key question is how do you get a game change in governance ... the huge reinforcement on the ground is there to enable the game change.” “I would just say the issue is time,” he added.

“The more time the better?” said Hugh Segal, a senator on the committee.

Natynczyk smiled but didn't answer.

At a press conference Monday morning, the commander of North American Aerospace Defense said the organization will provide aerial surveillance and security for the upcoming G8 and G20 summits.

“The role of NORAD essentially in the G8 and G20 summits is to do what we always do, and that is to provide for the air sovereignty and security of Canada and the United States,” said Admiral James Winnefeld Jr., who took command of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command in May.

NORAD, established in 1958 to protect North American air space, will be monitoring for potential threats, Winnefeld Jr. said.

Winnefeld Jr. is in Ottawa for two days to meet with Natynczyk, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and U.S. embassy officials.

laura.payton@sunmedia.ca