Allan Rock

[Gun Control, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed in the hon. member's attitude toward this bill. On November 30, when we tabled our program, she found fault with it because we had no bill. Now that we have a bill, the hon. member is still not offering any constructive criticism. The hon. member knows full well that most Canadians, and Quebecers in particular, support these proposals.

I would suggest that if the hon. member has suggestions to make in committee to improve the bill that she do so, but that she stand today in this House with the majority of Canadians in favour of this bill instead of making individual criticisms when overall it meets the safety needs of Canadians.

[Gun Control, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in the first instance I am proud to say that the government has introduced today legislation that will be easily accepted by the vast majority of Canadians.

May I observe as well that the centre point of the plan that involves registration of all firearms has recently been reported to have the support of two out of three Albertans among others.

Last, may I draw the hon. member's attention to the bill we tabled today that makes clear those who own and possess prohibited firearms may continue to buy and sell among their own class so that their investment in those firearms is preserved.

[Gun Control, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question is fundamentally flawed. There is nothing in the bill that confiscates firearms.

The bill is intended to enhance criminal sanctions, to crack down on the criminal misuse of guns and to achieve the sort of control any reasonable society wants to ensure public safety.

[Firearms Act, February 14th, 1995]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-68, an act respecting firearms and other weapons.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Gun Control, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I take it implicit in the question by the hon. member is an acknowledgement that the police chiefs are in favour of the registration of firearms.

May I say that not only in relation to firearms but on a broad range of subjects the police are supportive of the agenda of the government to achieve public safety.

[Gun Control, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the proposals we announced on November 30 are intended as part of the government's concerted effort to achieve what we described in the election campaign as safe homes and safe streets.

We believe they are integral to an effort government wide to deal effectively with the criminal misuse of firearms, to achieve better control at our borders with respect to what firearms enter Canada, and to enhance public safety.

I might add, knowing the hon. member's connection with the province of Alberta, that there is increasing evidence the people of that province are entirely in accordance with our view.

[Gun Control, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in the past the Canadian Police Association has spoken to this issue. I can tell the hon. member that in the past the Canadian Police Association has passed resolutions favouring universal registration.

May I also point out that in Edmonton last fall when this very controversy broke out and the police force, the constables, not the chiefs, were asked, 60 per cent in a plebiscite favoured registration of all firearms.

[Gun Control, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, when Canadians want advice on matters of health they go to physicians. When they want to know about the law they go to lawyers. When Canadians want advice on what to do about crime and community safety they go to the police.

The police in the country have for 10 years been calling upon the federal government to introduce a national system of registration. As recently as last summer the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police passed a resolution exactly to that effect. I take that as pretty solid advice.

[Gun Control, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians were horrified to read of the production and potential sale of these bullets in the United States.

That news story has seemed to solidify the vast majority opinion in this country that steps must be taken to ensure that in relation to firearms we do not go the way of the United States.

Ammunition of that description has already been prohibited. Order No. 10 of 1992 makes the import or sale of that ammunition unlawful.

The new registration system which the government proposes will permit the tracking of any such prohibited items and ensure that they do not come into Canada.

[Department Of Justice, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as I said I am not entirely sure what the hon. member's reference is. I will respond when I have the particulars of his question.

If the hon. member is referring to the value of contracts for legal services, they are affected by such things as the size of regional offices. We have a large regional office in Montreal and it may well be, although I do not know, that services that are performed on contract elsewhere in the country are performed through in house lawyers in justice in Montreal.

When I find out what the member's reference is, I will respond in detail to his question.