QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Firearms Legislation
October 29, 2024
Senator Gold, last week you were asked several questions about a recent statement from the Prime Minister on the second anniversary of the firearms ban.
The York Regional Police Association had this to say in response to the Prime Minister:
Very disappointing. This statement doesn’t reflect the reality our members face each day on the job.
In fact, Statistics Canada Uniform Crime Reporting indicates an increased trend of incidents and victims of police-reported firearm related violent crime . . .
Does your government dispute these comments from the women and men of York Regional Police, and if so, why?
No, senator, on the contrary.
This government not only understands the important and fundamental perspective the men and women in our police services provide but respects enormously and honours the work they do to protect us.
The difference in policy that I think gives rise to your question is that this government believes the measures it has taken to reduce firearms and put into place to enhance our criminal justice system to make it Charter compliant and more evidence-based are the right policy responses, regrettable though it is that too many crimes are committed with illegal firearms on the streets of our country.
Senator Gold, the fact is that people simply do not feel safe in their own homes.
In a press conference last week, the police department in Hamilton said that there have been a record 54 shootings in the city so far this year. When will your government go after gangs and gun smugglers and not law-abiding gun owners?
The Government of Canada is focusing on gun smuggling. It is focused on illegal trafficking, point one.
Point two, the legislation this government passed on several occasions did not target lawful Canadians, and the careful study of this legislation demonstrated that, colleagues. Once again, there is a philosophical difference between this government and your party.
