FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2011
SIMCOE – In the wake of the federal government introducing legislation to end Canada’s long gun registry, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is adamant Ontario does not introduce a provincial registry.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews introduced Bill C-19 – the legislation that will dismantle the long gun registry – in the House of Commons this morning for first reading. After lunch, he, Parliamentary Secretary Candice Hoeppner and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier were at an Ottawa-area farm to make the announcement.
Titled Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act, the legislation will end the registry and provide for the destruction of registration information for non-restricted firearms.
Some provincial leaders have been musing that a provincial registry is needed to replace the soon-to-be-gone federal one. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty hasn’t committed that Ontario won’t be among the provinces going down the path to a provincial registry.
Premier McGuinty is also on record saying he would like to see a handgun ban. Barrett countered that there will still be a registry in place for prohibited and restricted firearms classes – which include handguns.
Barrett and Opposition Leader Tim Hudak both stated they aren’t in favour of either a long gun registry or handgun ban. Barrett is proud of the fact that he and many constituents were among gun owners who protested Bill C-68, including on Parliament Hill. For 16 years, Barrett has worn a large pin on his jacket protesting Bill C-68 – and looks forward to soon removing the pin.
Barrett was heartened by the fact Minister Toews has stated provincial governments that want to create their own registry will receive no help from the federal government and that records won’t be shared.
“At long last, law-abiding hunters, farmers and rural residents won’t be treated as criminals,” Barrett said. “This is a day I have long awaited and I trust Ontario residents won’t need to fight this battle again against a provincial registry.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629