QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Firearms Buyback Program
December 4, 2024
Leader, your government previously revealed to me that it’s so-called buyback program for firearms has now cost $67.2 million, and it does not yet exist.
On Friday, a response to one of my written questions showed that the amount spent on consultants under this boondoggle is now $13.3 million, which is an increase of $1.8 million since the previous response that I received. This means, Senator Gold, that the new total is now $69 million. The response also failed to provide any details on these contracts, as I had requested.
The answer I received in August said the RCMP spent $2.3 million on consultants, but the response on Friday said they spent only $756,000. How is that possible, leader? What is your government hiding?
The government isn’t hiding anything, Senator Plett. In this complicated matter, the government is trying to respect the rights of legitimate, legal firearm owners while trying to protect Canadians from the scourge of gun violence in a number of different areas. The buyback program is one important part, though not the only part, of this government’s attempt to address this situation.
I need not remind senators who it was that ferociously opposed any gun control legislation in the past. I’m not going to play politics with you on this. I’m simply going to remind this chamber and Canadians that this government is committed to strong and serious gun control legislation and will continue to do so.
You parrot yourself worse than the Prime Minister.
Licensed and trained firearm owners can see what’s going on here, Senator Gold, even if you can’t. They are being targeted. Yet gangs flood our streets with illegal guns smuggled across the border, Senator Gold. Anti-Semitic rioters burn cars in Montreal. Yet the NDP-Liberals and you, Senator Gold, think lawful gun owners are the problem — enough. Where is the election that Canadians need to restore common sense?
Hear, hear.
Senator Plett, I’m trying to deal with the issues and not personalities. The fact is this government is addressing our issues at the border and has been in a serious way. It is not in the business of parroting conspiracy theories or false information that our country is broken and that our border is broken. It’s simply not true, and it’s not responsible, especially for a party that aspires to lead this great country.
It will lead.
