QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Firearms Trafficking
November 5, 2024
Leader, Peel Regional Police in the Greater Toronto Area recently revealed that, on average, their officers are seizing an illegal gun every 30 hours — an increase of 87% over the last year. Peel’s chief of police stated in a press conference last week:
Approximately 90% of these firearms that we seize are directly traced back to the U.S. And I can say in reality, the remaining 10% are also likely from the U.S.
Leader, for nine long years the NDP-Liberal government has overseen a 116% increase in violent gun crime. How much of this surge is due to the flood of illegal guns being smuggled across the border? It is all of it, Senator Gold, isn’t it?
The smuggling of guns across the border has been and remains a very dangerous issue for the safety of Canadians, and that is why this government has invested significantly in the Canada Border Services Agency, or CBSA, resources to do more to halt the flow of illegal firearms, as I think I have mentioned in this chamber before. In 2021-22, the CBSA seized a record number of firearms that came across this border, but it is not enough. We know it is not enough. Work continues to be done — and needs to continue — in order to slow down and stop this illegal trafficking of guns that harms our society.
Well, you and your NDP-Liberal colleagues like to congratulate yourselves for confiscating guns from law‑abiding and licensed gun owners in our own country. Front-line police officers across Canada are telling your government the truth, whether you like it or not. They say the problem is the guns being smuggled in from the United States. Do you think they’re wrong, Senator Gold?
I know this is Question Period, but at least you could listen to my answers. I acknowledged in my answer that the smuggling of guns across our border is a serious problem. I also reminded colleagues — if I may finish, sir — that efforts have been successful in seizing increasing numbers and that more needs to be done. I don’t know how much clearer I could be in response to your question.
