I must tell you that people are in favour of common-sense firearm licensing measures. What I was able to realize while I was consulting with many members of the communities—I was in northern Ontario and in various parts of Quebec—is that law-abiding citizens feel that they have been ostracized over the course of the last decade because they have a passion for the outdoors. They have a passion for an activity that is at the core of this country. Hunting, fishing, and sport shooting are totally legal activities, but due to this red tape and this administrative harassment, they felt like second-class citizens.
I feel that we have a responsibility as parliamentarians and as government to deal fairly with law-abiding citizens. That's what this legislation is all about. It is about reinforcing the safety of Canadians while showing respect to those who I would call “the guardians of our outdoors” and treating them with respect, while ensuring that they are complying fully with our laws regarding the handling and the carrying of firearms.