There are few subjects that conjure up the strong emotional response than that of Gun Control. Certainly no subject short of National Unity has had as much coverage in the press or debate on a national scale. Much to the detriment of the process, each side in the debate has used emotional rhetoric and fear to sell or promote their position. It is this emotion and fear that had replaced or circumvented logic and common sense. With the lives and way of life of Canadian's hanging in the balance, political correctness and careers have overshadowed the primary issue of safety and security of the public.
Justice Minister Allan Rock introduced Bill C-68, The Firearms Act, to the House of Commons on February 14, 1995, as the Liberals attempt to stem the growing public concern over the rising trend of violent crime in Canadian society. However, rather than address the root causes of violence, the Liberals chose to attack the least used instrument.
C-68 received Royal Assent on December 5, 1995 after being pushed through the House of Commons using the Liberal majority and party discipline of backbenchers to ensure passage. It passed through the Conservative controlled Senate unamended, though amendments were proposed to eliminate the licencing and registration provisions.
On November 27, 1996 Justice Minister Allan Rock presented to the House of Commons the Firearms Act Regulations for the third time. Two prior sets were withdrawn due to backlash from Liberal backbenchers concerned over their re-election possibilities primarily in rural ridings. The regulations come into effect January 1, 1998.
To date, untold millions (estimated at $150 million) have been spent and will continue to be spent in the future (estimated in excess of $1.8 billion) to implement a registration and licencing scheme that cannot be shown to have any positive effect on crime statistics or reducing the use of firearms in violent crime.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers entered into the debate early in '95. The membership was polled for its opinion on C-68. As a result of this polling it was found the membership supported tougher sentences for the criminal use and possession of a firearm. The Federation chose to reject support of C-68, primarily the registration and licencing sections as they posed a substantial waste of scarce resources both in manpower and finances, with little or no effect on the criminal element. The concern was also raised that officers in the field may also be placed in jeopardy by an erroneous or incomplete computer entry, or that because of a computer entry indicating no firearms, for a critical, possibly tragic moment an officer's guard might be let down.
Shortly after going public with our position, the Federation was joined by other law enforcement agencies and members of the justice community not only in Saskatchewan but in other jurisdictions. The general consensus being that C-68 is unworkable, unenforceable, ineffective, and extremely costly both to implement and enforce.
The decision of the Federation to oppose C-68 is in complete harmony with you, the citizens of Saskatchewan as indicated in an Environics poll on the subject commissioned by CBC Saskatchewan. We are also supported by Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Saskatchewan Responsible Firearms Owners, National Firearms Association, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Metis National Society, Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police and of course all parties of the Saskatchewan Legislature to name but a few. We have enjoyed the strong and complete support of two provincial Justice Ministers (Hon. Robert Mitchell, Hon. John Nilson) on the issue.
In April of last year Justice Minister John Nilson set up the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Firearms. The committee was comprised of representatives from groups across Saskatchewan affected by C-68 (SWF, SARM, SRFO, NFA, MNS, FSIN, SERM, SAFE, IHMSA, WCFC&DA) as well as members of the law enforcement community (RCMP, Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service). The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers was asked to participate in the committee, and it was a great honour for me personally when Federation President Grant Obst asked me to represent the police of Saskatchewan in this matter. The mandate of the committee was to provide advice to the Minister and to develop the Saskatchewan position on C-68. The Federation put forward the position that the Government of Saskatchewan should opt out of the administration and enforcement of the Firearms Act and should mount or participate in a constitutional challenge of C-68.
In September of last year Alberta filed their constitutional challenge of C-68 (Chapter 39 Statues of Canada, 1995) in the Alberta Court of Appeals. Alberta was joined at that time by Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon and Northwest Territories in its challenge. Three provinces and two territories have chosen to opt out of administration and enforcement of C-68. Battle lines are being drawn up on both sides of the issue and there is little doubt the matter will make its way to the Supreme Court for resolution.
With the passage of time public opposition to C-68 continues to grow not only across the province but across Canada. Information rallies held across the province in the past two years ('95, '96) have seen large turnouts. People from all walks of life attended to hear not only the position of their elected representatives, but also the Justice community.
At the rallies and information meetings in addition to licencing, registration and firearms prohibition people are hearing what the projected shortfalls in revenue from hunting, fishing and tourism are. Also of the lost revenue and jobs in the support industries (estimated by Govt. sources at $50 million/year).
There have also been concerns raised by the public in regards to the negative impact the legislation is going to have on Community Policing initiatives, which are threatened not only in rural areas but also urban centres, by a growing distrust of the justice system. As the RCMP police the majority of the province it is feared they will suffer the brunt, especially as the Federal Justice Minister plans to use them to administer the Firearms Act.
The common position heard at these meetings is that you, the grassroots people of Saskatchewan view the legislation as an unacceptable intrusion by the Federal Government into your way of life. Some attending have been very vocal about their position on the subject, to the point of telling the provincial Justice Minister of the planned non-compliance, drawing cheers from some, but of more concern is the silent nods of acceptance of the speakers position by others seated around the hall.
In 1829 Sir Robert Peel, the founder of modern day policing stated
in his Nine Principals of Policing:
``The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent
upon public approval of their actions,
Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary
observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of
the public,
The police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the
public that gives reality to the historic tradition; the police are
the public and the public are the police.''
Time and the courts will have the final say in this matter. The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers will be here to represent and protect the values and way of life of the people of Saskatchewan.
Ladies & Gentlemen; On behalf of the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, I want to thank you for your support and your attendance here this evening.
I remain your loyal servant; Thank You.