I just need two minutes.
I just need to get something cleared up for my own understanding on the cost of the long gun registry to law enforcement. When I talked to them, it was more rural police services. They did find that there was a cost when the long gun registry existed because they would get a list from the CFO as to whose licences had expired and then they were able to go and check to see who had firearms that were not registered. They would then confiscate those firearms because these individuals were breaking the law because these firearms were not registered. It would take them, they told me, at least one hour per firearm to not only register it again, but then dispose of it and deal with the paperwork. They now don't have to do that.
I know that in Toronto there were a number of reports where the Toronto Police Service spent probably about 1,500 man hours going door to door and confiscating firearms, not from criminals but from people who didn't have their paperwork in order. So I'd like to ask each one of you about this. I think you want to clarify this. Either you weren't doing it, which I don't think is the case, or in essence there are savings because now you don't have to go and take firearms from people who don't have their paperwork completed. Then it's costing you and your officers more time and resources to deal with these unregistered firearms.
Is that correct or is that only in rural areas?
Rick, Mr. Hanson.