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.
Comments