May I emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that nothing is postponed about this plan. On January 1, less than a month from now, the order in council prohibiting a wide range of firearms will come into effect. In the calendar year 1995 we shall have legislation enacted through Parliament that will introduce the strong criminal penalties that we have announced.
On January 1, 1996 the registration system will begin. Through incitements to early compliance, we expect that the vast majority of firearms and their owners will be registered in the system in the early period after the introduction of that system.