Public Safety Committee on May 26th, 2010

[Chief William Blair]

We have a government liaison company with which we've entered into a short-term contract. It had to do with a different matter.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

And would that be Ensight Canada?

[Chief William Blair]

Yes.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

So you should know, sir, that you do in fact have three lobbyists on retainer: Mr. John Weir, Mr. Will Stewart, and Ms. Lisa Pearson. Are those names familiar to you?

[Chief William Blair]

Yes, sir.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

So if you're against lobbying, why do you have three lobbyists on retainer?

[Chief William Blair]

We contracted them not to lobby on our behalf, but to engage in government liaison. We've dealt with them, and because of their relationship with your government, they declined to be involved in any aspect of the CACP's advocacy--

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

I think most people would consider government liaison to be lobbying, but we'll leave that for now.

The executive director of your association...you're no doubt familiar with Mr. Peter Cuthbert.

[Chief William Blair]

Yes.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

He issued an e-mail to all of the chiefs of police and all of your members about a week after you made that statement on May 17, announcing your attendance here today and asking all the members, the board, directors, the presidents of the provincial associations, to seek media interviews, opportunities to inform front-line officers, community members, and members of Parliament who reside in their jurisdictions on the value of the registry as a policing tool.

Now, if you don't subscribe to lobbying, why did your executive director issue that e-mail?

[Chief William Blair]

Because, sir, as I explained on the TV show, and as you have quoted me rather accurately, we do believe very strongly in advocating for public safety. We believe that a well-informed public, well-informed front-line police officers, and well-informed members of Parliament will be better equipped to make decisions about public safety issues. So we wanted to make sure, because there has been a great deal of misinformation, inaccurate and false information, that has been stated about the police position, that we clarify that for all Canadians.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

Okay. I need to manage my time.

Why would front-line police officers require instructions on the benefit of the long-gun registry as a police tool?

[Chief William Blair]

That's an excellent question. Thank you for asking it.

What we have found in every jurisdiction where we've gone in and explained to police officers what information is available in the registry, how they might access it and how they might use it to do their jobs, is that the use of that registry has increased exponentially. And the success of their investigations, prosecutions, and the safety of our officers has been enhanced by that training. So by providing that information, to ensure that they know what the registry can do for their safety and for their work in keeping our communities safe, we have made them more effective.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

Sure.

Do you know Marty Cheliak of the RCMP?

[Chief William Blair]

Very well, sir.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

And do you know that he's travelling the country doing exactly the same thing, educating front-line officers on the value of the long-gun registry?

[Chief William Blair]

Yes. I've accompanied him on a number of occasions where we've met with chiefs' associations across the country—a couple of them—where Marty has made a presentation on the work the Firearms Centre does, has shared the data that is now available to police chiefs across this country, and has helped explain the value that data can provide them in keeping their communities safe.

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

So if front-line police officers require instruction on the value of the long-gun registry, how can they possibly be in a position to give an informed opinion regarding its value?

[Chief William Blair]

I think once we provide them with that information, they will be able to give—

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

Maybe we should survey them now, now that you're educating them. Maybe we should do the surveys now.

[Chief William Blair]

Well, in fact, we are informing them. Their police associations are informing them. Their police chiefs are informing them. We believe that police officers need to know about what value this registry brings to them.

We have found where there is training—let me give you an example. There are two cities in Alberta—

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

No, that'll have to wait.

Charles Momy sat in that very chair a couple of weeks ago and told me that in fact front-line police officers cannot possibly rely on the long-gun registry in their tactical decisions. Have you reviewed his testimony?

[Chief William Blair]

No, I haven't, but I—

[Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

Does that come as a surprise to you, that he said that?

[Chief William Blair]

I won't speak for Mr. Momy, but a police officer will use that information to inform themselves about the situation they're entering into. Is it absolutely the last word on the subject? Is there no other circumstance where they should consider other alternatives? Of course there are, and I'm sure that's what Mr. Momy was referring to. But the information available is useful.