Mr. Speaker, if we could get back to the business at hand, I have a comment and a question for the hon. member.
The comment is to state that one of the primary reasons I supported Bill C-68 and continue to support it is due to the request of the Canadian Police Association. As the front line officers dealing with law enforcement in this country, the Canadian Police Association supported Bill C-68.
I know there is a lot of controversy over their position. I would like to read from a letter dated February 19, 1996 from Scott Newark, the executive officer of the Canadian Police Association, to myself, where he indicates:
The issue of gun control is one on which we have expressed opinions over the years. Indeed, we approached the current government on enforcement aspects as early as December 1993. We were alerted to the fact that the government was considering changes along the lines of Bill C-68 and thus, at our Annual General Meeting in August of 1994 we struck a National Panel to examine the issues in the specific areas contemplated.
This group met and presented its report to our Executive Board Meeting in March of 1995. Following this, our delegates, assembled from every jurisdiction in Canada—
And I emphasize “every jurisdiction in Canada”—
—(Ontario being the largest), voted. Unlike when the Bill was presented in the House, our delegates were afforded the opportunity of voting on each item separately. Most passed unanimously and registration was passed by an approximate two to one margin, and, as you recall, subject to two very precise conditions which the government met.