Lethbridge Herald: Trudeau Puts Politics over Public Safety

Since the Liberals took power seven years ago, violent crime has increased by 32 percent and gang-related violence has grown by 92 percent. There is no doubt about it, Canada is facing a public safety crisis.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has underscored for years that greater help is needed to secure Canada’s borders and equip metropolitan police with the training and resources they need to go after illegal gun smugglers and gangs. But Trudeau is not interested in solving the problem. His only goal is to score cheap political points.

Enter Bill C-21.

This bill targets highly vetted firearms owners who follow the rules and safely use their firearms for hunting, sport shooting, or protecting livestock. It will do nothing to take illegal firearms off the street or stop gun violence. It has nothing to do with keeping our communities safe.

With this bill, the Trudeau Liberals have launched the single largest assault on hunters and sport shooters in Canadian history.

Bill C-21 was introduced in Spring 2022, and it was terrible in its original form, then, at the 11th hour, just before Christmas, it was made even worse! By moving a significant amendment at committee stage, the Liberals moved to ban hundreds— if not thousands— of hunting rifles. This was done without hearing from experts or allowing for democratic debate.

Mr. Trudeau wants you to believe that he is only going after “weapons of war” and likes to display images of big scary black machine guns when he speaks to the press, but the reality is, the Liberals are going after classic rifles such as the Ruger No. 1, a firearm that is designed to accept only one bullet at a time. The ban also includes the Mossberg 702 Plinkster, a .22 caliber firearm designed for target practice. In addition, it captures firearms like the Webley & Scott Wild Fowl Gun, a shotgun used for bird hunting, along with various other World War II replica firearms owned by Grandpa Joe.

This amendment is terrible in its own right, but even more so when we consider the fact that it targets Indigenous Canadians, whose culture is deeply tied to hunting and who have treaty rights to hunt for sustenance. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive released a public statement expressing its concerns. In it, the Chief advocated for those he represents by saying “our people can’t afford to have our guns taken away, especially when we are trying to put food on the table during unprecedented times.” The Chief went on to highlight the fact that Indigenous folks will be unjustly targeted by this legislation because of systemic racism. He called on the Trudeau government to acknowledge the tremendous harm that will be done by this bill and urged Mr. Trudeau to take a step back.

While the Liberals want you to believe they care about community safety, the exact opposite is true. Bill C-5 was brought into effect by this government as a favour to criminals. Ironically, it amends the Criminal Code to take away mandatory jail time for violent gun crime and allow those criminals to serve under house arrest in our communities.

Other offences for which the penalty has been significantly softened include weapons trafficking, discharging a firearm with intent, robbery with a firearm, and extortion with a firearm.

This soft on crime approach is not only dangerous, but also a blatant departure from reason.

The Liberals’ hypocrisy is palpable.

Bill C-21 is about politics, not gun safety, and it is at the expense of everyday Canadians who are being victimized in their own communities by gangs and dangerous criminals.

Canadians deserve better.

Conservatives have always stood for common sense gun safety and strong consequences for those who commit gun offences. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. If we value human life, the principles of law and justice, and safety in this country, then we should work to strengthen the structures that uphold those principles.

It is obvious to anyone watching that the Prime Minister is not serious about stopping dangerous criminals from getting their hands on illegal guns or making our streets safer. This type of political theatre and virtue signalling is reckless, short-sighted, and out of step with a free and democratic society. It is damaging for all.

Canadians have a chance to make their voices heard. If the actions of the Liberal government concern you, please have your say by contacting the Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, by emailing him at marco.mendicino@parl.gc.ca or by calling his office at 613-992-6361.

Lethbridge Herald: A Christmas Reflection

In 1957, Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II shared her Christmas message. In it she reflected on the current state of the world:

“Today we need a special kind of courage, not the kind needed in battle but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest. We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics so that we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future.”

I believe we find ourselves in a similar place today.

This past year was extraordinarily difficult for many Canadians. With inflation driving up the cost of living, rising interest rates, fears of a global recession, and an increasingly unstable geo-political environment, many Canadians are feeling uncertain and fearful. In the face of these very real and difficult challenges it is easy to lose sight of what matters most.

Despite the darkness that lingers, Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and find inner peace and hope. Though not everyone celebrates Christmas, for many, this is a time to commemorate the coming of Jesus, who is the light of the world and the embodiment of love. It has been said that Jesus is the hope of the world.

As the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge I see the spirit of Christmas at work among us. I am tremendously proud of the kindness and generosity demonstrated by those who call this region home.

Each year, tens-of-thousands of volunteers selflessly give of their time, talent, and money to demonstrate love and impart hope through a variety of means. These individuals often work in partnership with one of the many not-for-profit organizations or faith groups that are doing a remarkable job serving our community.

Whether it its visiting seniors who are shut in, providing food hampers to families in need of a helping hand, serving a hot meal to those who wouldn’t otherwise have one, giving warm winter coats to those who would otherwise be overwhelmed by the cold, showing love and compassion to those fighting the darkness of addiction, or donating financially to a charity of choice, our community is generously stepping up and compassionately stepping out to make a positive difference.

There is an opportunity for all of us to embody the spirit of Christmas and “stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest” by being kind toward others and generous with our resources.

This season is about hope. Hope for one another, hope for our country, hope for our future, and most of all, the hope that was sent to the world through the birth of Jesus.

As Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II once said, “It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”

No matter how much darkness fills the room, if a candle is lit, its light can be seen. In the same way, I see the light shining in and through so many of you. Despite the many challenges of today, the selfless courage of Canadians produces hope for tomorrow.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Preserving Our Canadian Heritage

“The True North strong and free.”

A key line in Canada’s National Anthem.

These are more than words sung at hockey games or special ceremonies. These words declare a truth that was fought for and won by those who went before us. This truth is now preserved by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

At the start of this vital document outlining our guaranteed protections is this assurance: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law…”

There is something resolute about the recognition of these two powers.

These two components play a fundamental role in our genesis as a parliamentary democracy—a system of governance where the state is the servant, and the people are the masters.

Throughout history, it has been kings and queens, dynasties and dictators who have ruled the people. Some rulers exhibited characteristics of benevolence and faith in the people. However, it was not common and not often long-lasting. Today, full democracies—nations where civil liberties and fundamental political freedoms are respected and reinforced by a political culture—only make up about 12.6% of the world’s countries and only 6.4% of the world’s population.

My point is this: democracy and respecting the rule of law is not the norm; it is the exception.

Through this lens, I wish to express both honour and gratitude to the veterans who have served this country, many of whom gave their lives to preserve the values we hold so dear.

In many ways, we take our precious and unique rights and freedoms for granted in this country. Sadly, this apathy is accompanied by a dying understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans and those currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

During the First and Second World Wars, when young soldiers set sail across the Atlantic, they did so to protect these principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law. Tyrannical powers were attempting to usurp individual freedoms and restore a governmental structure that would make the people servants to the state.

It is impossible to comprehend what our world would look like today if the Allies had not won the War. However, what we can imagine is the almost constant temptation of governments to exert more and more control over the people, whether through excessive taxation, or control over speech, belief, or expression.

Governments always tend to lean toward dominance.

It is only through a healthy, strong, and engaged civil society that democracies are sustained.

The government must focus on four main things: the safety and security of Canadians, facilitating an environment of economic prosperity, maintaining a strong justice system, and establishing our place on the world stage.

When the government encroaches on our lives beyond these purposes, it impedes the human spirit, thwarts creativity, prevents innovation, and hinders our ability to prosper.

A limited government allows for people to be the solution makers, problem solvers, and wealth generators, and this is what truly makes our country thrive.

When I consider our rich Canadian heritage and culture, I think of people like Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, Frederick Banting, who invented insulin, Lewis Urry, who invented the Alkaline battery, Norman James Breakey, who invented the paint roller, Marcellus Gilmore Edson, who invented peanut butter, and Joseph Coyle, who invented the egg carton. I look at the sports that originated in Canada, like ice hockey, basketball, five-pin bowling, lacrosse, and baseball.

It is the people, not the government, that make this nation great.

I want to thank the men and women who have gone before us—those who built a country of

which we can be tremendously proud and those who have fought and continue to fight to preserve the fundamental principles of democracy so that we might remain “The True North strong and free.”

President Ronald Reagan wisely pointed out, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

To honour those who died for our freedom, the least we can do is live for it.

I hope you and your family will take the time to attend one of the Remembrance Day Ceremonies taking place in our region on Friday, November 11th.

Lest we forget.