Any time there are laws that apply to first nations and pertain to hunting, fishing or trapping, there is always that risk, especially when guns are seized. I'm particularly concerned about investigations.
The hunters hunt not only for food for themselves. We talk about ceremonies. We talk about culture. We talk about rites of passage. The infringement of taking away that gun certainly inhibits that from happening, and it therefore infringes on that constitutionally protected treaty and inherent right.
Sadly, in Saskatchewan we do have those tensions. There seems to be an ongoing problem and issue with settlers and CFOs targeting our hunters. Adding more legislation would cause harm to hunters.
Really, we're looking for criminals here. The spirit and intent of this legislation is to address the criminality of guns with certain persons. Hunters are not out there committing crimes. They're out there defending poverty, feeding elders and feeding single parents. Of course, even with that right, we were promised we would have the freedom to hunt and that our hunting grounds would always be there. Taking away that gun is certainly an infringement.