Ending the Long-gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to address my remarks to the member. The cost of the gun registry is often discussed. We see that it costs between $2 million and $4 million. At the same time, we know that the government has hired 1,500 communications professionals. It must cost a great deal to employ 1,500 communications professionals.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, the member for Halifax West mentioned how the Prime Minister loved to be around the plant when it suited his political purposes but that when things go wrong the Tories scatter. I would like to read a quote from an article by Lawrence Martin earlier this week. It reads, “I was talking to a plugged in guy at the finance department the other day and asked him what the Tories have done that is so wonderful.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, during the last election campaign, we were told repeatedly that corporate tax rates had to be lowered or else companies would leave Canada and relocate south of the border. However, only several days after the most recent corporate tax cut, Caterpillar is relocating to the United States.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police  Mr. Speaker, yesterday afternoon near the town of Killam, Alberta, two RCMP officers were shot while fulfilling their duties to their community. One officer was shot in the back, the other was shot in the arm, shoulder and leg. Thanks to the quick and efficient response by emergency services, both officers were airlifted to hospitals and are now recovering in stable condition.

Ending the Long-gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to address one point that my hon. colleague made when he said that it was a complete waste of money. That means that even under the worst circumstances it has never saved anyone one cent. The chief of police in Waterloo described a situation there in which police officers found a deceased gentleman next to a gun and therefore thought he had been murdered.

Ending the Long-gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member mentioned firearms licensing. Is he aware of the evidence that was presented to committee that the registry was not effective? That same evidence showed that licensing was not effective, which boggles my mind because I believe in licensing. In terms of licence revocations, if people's licences are revoked because they are now seen as potentially dangerous or perhaps are in mental distress, would it not help to have a record of the firearms they have at their disposal?

Ending the Long-gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, I think someone in the Prime Minister's office has been very busy writing speeches, because all the speeches I hear from government members are starting to sound the same. The hon. member cited some statistics to show that almost 100% of gun crimes committed with handguns were committed with illegal handguns.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, Dr. David Schindler has shown that the oil sands are polluting the Athabasca River. His evidence was so compelling that it forced the government to do a 180-degree flip from its previous position that everything was just fine, thanks very much, with the old industry-dominated monitoring system.

Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, the member cited data showing that the registry has had no impact. Is he aware that those same studies show that licensing has no impact? Either the government's position is contradictory or the evidence is contradictory. Which is it? Is the government just cherry-picking the evidence or is the evidence no good?

Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, I take issue with this idea that I did not prepare for committee. I have a thick binder of documentation. I read reports. When people come to committee, the first idea that comes to mind is not to ask if they are members of the Conservative Party or if they are working with the minister on this issue.

Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, that is a rather interesting question. We heard that the ombudsman for victims of crime is against dismantling the firearms registry. A representative of victims in Canada is against the government's initiative. Many myths have been spread by the government, if you ask me.

Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, this is the second time that I have risen in this House to speak about this bill. Clearly, the first time was at second reading. If I had to give my speech a title, I would call it “A Mistake that Will Haunt us for Years to Come”. I believe that the decision to abolish the firearms registry is a mistake.

Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member mentioned voting the party line rather than the wishes of the constituents. I have been here for a good seven years and I have never seen a party vote the party line over the interests of the constituents more often than the party opposite, I must say.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I have four petitions to present. The first petition calls on the government to create a royal commission on health and the environment. The objective would be to take stock of the studies over the years linking problems with human health to pollutants in the environment.

Marguerite Lewis  Madam Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the passing of a passionate Canadian. Marguerite Lewis was a woman who lived to help others, a woman of principle, determination, heart and compassion, a loyal friend and a stalwart Liberal proud of her Acadian roots.