DISSENTING OPINION OF THE REFORM PARTY ON THE OCTOBER 30, 1997 FIREARM REGULATIONS

The testimony from justice officials clearly indicate that a mail-in system of registration will be utilized and that there will be no verification of the information recorded by firearm owners identifying a firearm. According to statements made by the RCMP and the Chief Firearm Officer of P.E.I., without verification "the system will be unreliable."

The RCMP stated, "the potential for errors on applications from members of the public who may not be well versed in firearms classification is extremely high. If the police services of this country count on the veracity of information entered into the Canadian Firearms Registration System, they may not use it to its full potential. If this occurs, the system cannot meet its objective of maintaining and increasing public safety."

Eric Goodwin, the Chief Firearms Officer for P.E.I. reiterated the RCMP's comments when he stated, "the information contained in the registry on restricted and prohibited firearms will be unverified and hence unreliable. This will impact on police safety, public safety and enforcement."

The Reform Party cannot support a multi-million dollar registry that does not enhance public safety by reducing the accidental, intentional and criminal use of firearms.

Repeatedly, over the last three years, the Reform Party has stated unequivocally it would support registration if it could be proven it would in fact enhance public safety. To date, no one has been able to demonstrate how the registration of rifles and shotguns will provide increased public protection for the people of Canada. What has been demonstrated is that Bill C-68 and its complicated regime of licensing and registration is an unjustified attack upon the decent, law-abiding firearm owners and taxpayers of this country who will bear the horrendous cost of universal registration.

We have not been provided any information regarding the cost of implementing and maintaining the registration system. The former Justice Minister claimed it would cost $85 million, however recently upon questioning, senior justice officials were unable to substantiate or deny that claim.

The cost of registering all rifles and shotguns has modestly been estimated to cost between $500 million to $1 billion and this figure was calculated before the three provinces declaration refusing to administer the registration system.

The Reform Party remains firmly opposed to the registration of rifles and shotguns and therefore, recommends the deletion of the regulations establishing the firearm registration system.

Reform also recommends the deletion of the regulations pertaining to shooting clubs, shooting ranges and gun shows. If these regulations are implemented, many viable businesses will be destroyed and the government has not provided any justification for this unprecedented intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. The authority to regulate these businesses which have never proven to be a threat to public safety should be left to the provinces.

Reform recommends the deletion of the exportation and importation of firearm regulations which will significantly impact negatively on businesses, particularly outfitters in remote parts of Canada who count on American business. The requirement for "in person" and "in writing" declaration of firearms being imported into Canada will deter non-residents from entering Canada for hunting and sporting purposes. As a result, there will be a tremendous impact on the Canada economy with the loss of jobs, sales, trade and investment. To date, the government has not conducted an economic impact study and has failed to provide any justification for the impediments to Canadian businesses imposed by these regulations.

The Reform Party recommends the deletion of all the regulations tabled on October 30th, 1997 and the repeal of Bill C-68. The federal government has failed to prove or demonstrate the firearms regulations will reduce the accidental, intentional and criminal use of firearms. Reform recommends the diversion of the scarce federal dollars being used for universal registration to more cost-effective means of increasing public safety such as increasing police forces all across the country to put police officers where they are needed, on Canadian streets.