For Immediate Release
Despite huge cost overruns, a complete lack of credible or verifiable results, public condemnation by the Auditor General of Canada and systemic mismanagement of the National Firearms Registry for long guns, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice continue to force government members to perpetuate legislative injustice by voting for additional funding in support of the failing National Firearms Registry for long guns.
“Over the last two weeks, it has been clear that a number of Members of Parliament on the government side of the House were not comfortable voting for another unjustified expenditure of public funds on the firearms registry for long guns,” said Mike Reader, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. “Instead of honoring the commitment in the Liberal Red Book of 1993, which promised to give backbenchers greater flexibility in voting to represent their constituents, the Prime Minister has engaged in threats against his own members to ensure that funding for the ill-fated firearms registry was approved. It is a sad commentary on our democratic system of government when well-meaning members of Parliament are reduced to tears for wanting to do the right thing.”
The Report of the Auditor General of Canada tabled in the House of Commons in December 2002, made it clear that the National Firearms Registry for long guns is in complete disarray and that costs are expected to rise well over $1 billion before the system is fully implemented. Since that time, the Minister of Justice has continued to prop up the long gun registry by obtaining additional funding through a series of back door supplementary estimates that have some members of the government crying foul.
“Eight provinces, three territories, police associations, police chiefs and front line officers have withdrawn their support for the National Firearms Registry for long guns, because there is no proof that the registry will save lives. Even the R.C.M.P, the government’s own police force, has acknowledged that the system is rife with problems and inaccuracies. The over $1 billion that has been spent on this regulatory disaster could have been better applied to issues around national health care or law enforcement. Instead, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice seem more concerned about protecting their own legacy and throwing good money after bad,” noted Reader.
Contact:
Greg Farrant
Government Relations Manager
(705) 748-6324