With the annual hunt now taking place across the Upper Ottawa Valley, many constituents have contacted my office asking for an update on the current status of the long-gun registry.
Earlier this year, with the election of a strong, stable majority Conservative Government, we were finally able to pass legislation to scrap the long-gun registry. I am pleased to confirm that as promised, as of October 31st, all the inaccurate, out-of date data for non-restricted firearms that was collected for the registry has been destroyed for all of Canada except Quebec.
The registry never solved a single murder. Instead it has been an enormous waste of police officers’ time, diverting their efforts from patrolling Canadian streets and doing traditional policing activities.
Gun-control proponents worried that scrapping the long-gun registry after so much has been spent would be a waste — “a $2 billion bonfire,” in the words of the Opposition in Ottawa. Unfortunately, that money is already wasted, and the registry costs kept growing. It costs about $100 million a year to operate. Instead of burning up more money, Canada can spend it on things that will actually do some good.
The fight is not over.
In Canada, the Official Opposition, with most of its MPs from cities or Quebec, has vowed to bring back the long-gun registry any chance they get. Internationally, the United Nations is moving towards an Arms Trade Treaty.
The UN treaty officially aims to prevent rebels and terrorist groups from getting hold of guns. Regulations of private ownership will supposedly prevent rebels and terrorist groups from doing so. Governments, not private individuals, are the sources for their weapons of choice which are mostly prohibited in Canada. These measures have a long history of failure and primarily just inconvenience and disarm law-abiding gun owners in Canada.
While farmers, hunters and sports shooters can trust on this government to stand up for their rights, and we continue to do so, the same can not be said for the Official Opposition, whoever ends up as their leader.
As your Federal Member of Parliament, I am pleased to represent you on a variety of issues. Whether that issue is eliminating the long gun registry, promoting agriculture, international trade, AECL, the military or jobs in the working forest, I am here to serve you! As always, if you have any concerns of a federal nature, or just want to share your views with me, please do not hesitate to contact my office.