QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Firearms Buyback Program
November 28, 2024
Senator Gold, once again, I’m calling out the bureaucratic delays around gun control. The government issued an order in council four years ago to buy back 4,000 prohibited assault weapons, deadly weapons. However, nothing happened. The buyback program is scheduled for next spring, but we could already be in an election campaign by then, and we know that the Conservative Party of Canada opposes these control measures. Why is the government dragging its feet? Is it worried about stirring up another controversy that could hurt its chances on the campaign trail?
The answer to your hypothetical question is a resounding “no.”
The same question was asked yesterday. I immediately followed up yesterday and again this morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive the response that is so eagerly awaited not only by you and the Senate, but by me, too. The government is working hard. I’m not going to go over all the other things that the government is doing to not only limit access to guns specifically, but also to protect the victims of gun violence. I’ll keep trying to get a response, because it’s important.
Mayor Valérie Plante and PolyRemembers want you to ban more military-style firearms, given the spate of gun violence that has erupted in Montreal.
PolyRemembers wants the existing laws and orders to be enforced, but the group would also like you to go even further. The order in council was issued four years ago, so it seems to me that it should have come into force by now. Still, it’s remarkable—
I regret to inform you that your time has expired.
I completely understand the disappointment and frustration people are feeling. As I just said in response to your first question, I tried to get an answer yesterday to a similar question. When I didn’t get it, I asked the question again this morning. I will continue to do my best to get an answer to these questions.
