Debates of April 14th, 1999

Legalization Of Marijuana For Health And Medical Purposes

[The Deputy Speaker]

I am sorry, but the hon. member's time has expired.

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the question of the member for Yorkton—Melville. It was an isolated case of issuing a firearms licence with the wrong photograph.

Here are the facts.

An individual in British Columbia applied in November 1998 under the previous legislation for a firearms acquisition certificate, an FAC. Since the licence was issued after December 1, the date the new law took effect, he received a new possession and acquisition licence.

The licence was processed under the procedures of the previous legislation which relied on local police personnel to handle the photograph and paperwork. This is a responsibility they no longer need to worry about under the new system, which I might add is saving police forces considerable sums of money which they may redirect to other important local policing priorities.

Many firearms owners waited until the last days of the old law to apply. We have so far handled over 23,000 of these cases under the old system. It is not clear where the mistake happened, whether it was at the local police station where it handled a flurry of last minute applications or whether it was when the photograph was scanned.

What is clear is that under the new law and its procedures this would not have happened. Under the new system firearms owners do not visit the police station, but rather fill out the form at home. It includes all relevant information, including a photo of themselves. I can assure the member that the Canadian Firearms Centre central processing site has taken precautions to ensure that this type of switch will not happen under the new system.

I must say that we are pleased with the way this new system is working. We are indeed very pleased with the emerging proof that it already has made a difference in public safety.

I can also tell the House that 159 new licence applications in the first four months of the program, between December 1, 1998 and April 1, 1999, were refused, mainly due to public safety concerns, and 129 licences were revoked.

There will be many examples of enhanced public safety in the months to come. I hope that the member understands.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6.54 p.m.)