Evidence of meeting #21 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was firearm.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, Canadian Shooting Sports Association
I would support any move that provided for public safety for Canadians without unduly restricting people who are legitimate.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Would you support that move that would remove semi-automatic tactical and military assault weapons?
Executive Director, Canadian Shooting Sports Association
I believe I stated that I would support any move that didn't compromise safety.
Liberal
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon everyone.
Good afternoon, Mr. Dupuis.
Good afternoon, Ms. Fraser. You may be looking into our affairs at some point. We will be gentle with you, because you never know.
Mr. Cossette, you are the Executive Director of the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs. How many members are there in your organization?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
We represent 200 associations and 125,000 members overall. I want to point out that our organization has always been in favour of the safe storage of firearms. It is something that we have always advocated, and continue to advocate. That is the key to preventing suicides, as this lady was saying earlier.
I would like to say something about red tape being a nuisance. Having a criminal record because of a technical error is not a nuisance, in my opinion. It may be for you, but not for me. There has been some demagoguery with respect to this issue, particularly in terms of the difference between a firearms licence… When someone applies for the first time, an investigation is made. People are required to take courses and checks are made. When the licence is renewed, further inquiries are made. That is the way it should be.
The red tape surrounding the registration certificate is exactly that. There is one thing that we consider to be quite unfortunate. In Quebec and Canada, budget cuts are currently being made. We have even asked to work in cooperation with the government. The money from increased fees for hunting and fishing licences should be reinvested in the community, because there is no money. We are proud of that proposal. If the money can help certain groups and young people from underprivileged backgrounds… We need to find the money for that, because that is how we will avoid problems later on. I am glad you asked me that question.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
I am going to have to stop you there, because I have very little time. I was trying to catch your attention!
Mr. Cossette, does your association have a presence all across the province of Quebec—in other words in all the ridings of Quebec?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Yes, we cover the entire province of Quebec. Certain years, there are associations in very remote regions. They start up, then disappear and come back again three years later. We are all over—in the Magdalen Islands, the Matagami region, Estrie and Montrérégie, the North Shore and the Lower North Shore, Natashquan… Everywhere.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
So, you cover all those areas.
You may have heard Mr. Bernardo, I believe, say earlier that, before a firearms acquisition licence is granted, there is an investigation and the applicant must not have committed a criminal offence or have been convicted of one. Is that correct?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Right from the outset, when the legislation was first under consideration, we said that the firearms licence was a necessity. An investigation is required for every individual who wants to acquire a firearm or who will be using one. You have to have a licence in order to buy bullets. All of that is necessary.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Perhaps I could make a comparison. A car thief has the right to register an automobile; no one asks him questions. If he goes to the motor vehicle registration office, he will be given a licence even if he has a criminal record. In the case of firearms, could someone who has committed a criminal office be given a licence?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Generally speaking, that should not be possible, but I am not that familiar with the justice system; I am not a lawyer by training.
I would just like to add one thing. There are lots of different gadgets and chemicals out there. Are we going to register everything? What about propane gas cylinders? Do you know of anything that poses more of a hazard to a family? They can be used in all kinds of ways. At some point, you have to take responsibility for the choices that you make. Firearms licensing is very important.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
How much time do I have left? One minute? Thank you.
Could you tell us about your members? Can you tell us whether they live in rural or urban areas, or whether they are farmers and so on?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Our association includes all different categories of members—doctors, people who like the outdoors, unemployed, etc.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Does it also include police officers?
Director General, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Yes, and some of them teach courses.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
You said a little earlier that a major focus for you is education. I think it is important to educate people.
Mr. Pelletier, for how long have you been teaching these courses? You seem to have done a lot of teaching.
Volunteer Master Instructor in Gun Safety, Security Nature, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
I have been teaching these courses since 1979. Our ultimate goal is to develop healthy management in the family setting and in areas where firearms are stored.
Conservative
Volunteer Master Instructor in Gun Safety, Security Nature, Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
Yes, and we are not frustrated, contrary to what was stated earlier.
Liberal
