Opposition members playing games with firearms bill

Opposition members playing games with firearms bill
Committee motion a clear attempt to avoid free, democratic vote in House

A procedural motion by Ajax-Pickering Liberal M.P. Mark Holland, supported by other committee members, including Windsor-Tecumseh NDP M.P. Joe Comartin, is nothing less than a clear attempt to undermine a free and democratic vote on Bill C-391, an act to repeal the badly flawed long gun registry.

“Mr. Holland’s motion, which seeks support from the House of Commons to stop Bill C-391 from proceeding, is quite simply an attempt to achieve through the back door, what they haven’t been able to do through a free and straightforward vote,” said Greg Farrant, O.F.A.H. Manager of Government Relations & Communications. “Any suggestion that the vote will simply be a vote on a procedural motion is complete nonsense. A vote in favor of the motion is a vote against the bill itself, no matter how it is presented by Mr. Holland. If NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has thus far refused to whip the vote on the bill, agrees with the logic being put forward by opponents of the bill, and agrees to whip (force) his members to vote in support of the Committee’s motion, it will kill the bill. For the 12 NDP members who voted in support of the bill at Second Reading, this will force them to vote against the wishes of their constituents. For taxpayers across Canada, the outdoor and farming communities, and First Nations who support C-391, the message will clearly be