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VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 45
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Trudeau pulls trigger on “military-style” firearm ban Western Canadians up in arms over “swipe of pen” TAYLOR WEAVER
EDITOR
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Last Friday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on some 1,500 makes and models of “military-style” weapons in Canada, effective immediately. Now, all licensed gun owners are no longer allowed to sell, transport, import or use these weapons in the country. The minority Liberals enacted the ban through regulations approved by an order-in-council from cabinet — not through legislation. In practice, ordersin-council are drafted by cabinet and formally approved by the governor general. Orders-incouncil are not discussed by Parliament, and do not require legislation by Parliament, before being implemented. This swipe of the pen is a key aspect of the ban that has infuriated Western Canadians. Trudeau said his government was ready to enact this campaign
promise months ago before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the legislative agenda. Many Western Canadians are saying the ban
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What works in downtown Toronto does not work in rural Alberta.
was a political move in light of the April 19 mass shooting in Nova Scotia. “I think you have to look at this policy and decide what is best for Canadians across this country,” said Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer. “What works in downtown Toronto does not work in rural Alberta, and we need to make sure we have policies across this country (to reflect that). That’s one of the reasons I’ve been fighting so hard on rural crime, because for so long our policies on jus-
tice have been so centred on big urban centres, and it should be focused on rural communities right now, because that’s where our crime rates are exponentially higher.” Schweitzer also noted at a meeting with all justice ministers from across Canada, including the Federal Minister of Public Safety and Federal Justice Minister, Alberta’s advice was to “tread softly to make sure they get this right.” “What did we get in response? We got no notice and a comprehensive ban, and that’s infuriated so many people across rural communities in particular, but also our hunting and sport shooting communities as well,” he said, noting Alberta is strongly considering appointing a provincial firearms officer. This measure is also being considered in Saskatchewan. “We’ve heard Albertans loud and clear. They want us to take a firm stance
and make sure we stand on the side of law-abiding Albertans, and also step up for people in rural communities where they rely on firearms as a part of their every-day life.” There were also questions regarding the policy’s exemption of Indigenous hunters exercising a section 35 hunting right to feed themselves and their families. “This is one of those areas where the swiftness and how they brought this forward, I think was a disservice to all Canadians,” said Schweitzer. “There was a lack of consultation, lack of consultation with First Nation communities, lack of consultation with law-abiding firearms owners, and there’s a lack of clarity.” Aside from the feeling of having one’s rights taken away, the economic impacts of the ban are already being felt in the Border City, whether it’s through the legal sale of firearms or the outfitting industry. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Firearms are displayed inside the vault of Prophet River Holdings earlier this week. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source