Will NDP, Bloc Stand Against C-21 Revisions?

It's been just over a week since the Liberal members of the House of Commons Standing Committee (SECU) on Public Safety announced amendments to Bill C-21 that were allegedly intended to ban so-called "assault style firearms," but actually named a long list of hunting firearms. The SECU continues to meet on this issue (Meeting 51 link is here), and in the time between meetings, it seems MPs have been hearing from their constituents.

The SECU contains members of the Bloc Quebecois, NDP, Liberal and Conservative parties. The Conservative parties stood against C-21's amendments from the start, but after a week of letters, emails and phone calls, the NDP and Bloc members also seem to realize the Liberal government is pulling a fast one—first, by shoehorning amendments to the bill in after first and second reading, and second, by misrepresenting the scope of those amendments.

As we've told you before, the list of firearms banned by name (see here) includes firearms like the Ruger No. 1, a single-shot rifle that's clearly intended for sporting purposes, or Parker Brothers shotguns, another sporting firearms manufacturer that made double-barrel shotguns 80 years ago, and a long list of other similar rifles and shotguns. There is no justification for including ancient double-barrels or falling-block single-shot rifles as "assault style," and now that opposition MPs outside the Liberal party are figuring that out, they're not happy.

As for the Liberals on the SECU, they don't even seem to really know what they're doing. In both meetings on the bill's amendments, the Liberals on committee have expressed confusion on the technical details of their proposed bans and the long-term implications. They are now falling back on the old "bring in the experts from the Canadian Firearms Program" routine in order to explain the bans. Based on past observation of the CFP's staff in court, the outcome of that remains to be seen, but it seems unlikely SECU members will actually see many questions answered in a clear fashion. Remember, these are the same CFP staffers who classify rimfire rifles as "variants" of fully automatic centrefire assault rifles.

With all that in mind, it's interesting to note that many NDP politicos have indicated to their constituents that their party will not approve the latest amendments to C-21, although we've seen no official statement to that effect, and certainly no repudiation against the bill in its original form, which had plenty of problems even before the amendments.

It also seems that Bloc Quebecois MP Kristina Michaud is unwilling to back the Liberal amendments, based on comments she's made after reaching out for information from hunters, and the rest of the Bloc feels the same way—at least, that is certainly the scuttlebutt on social media. Again, no word on whether that means completely dropping support for the bill, but that seems unlikely.

Support from the community

Along with the usual, expected immediate involvement from Canada's gun orgs, note that the BC Wildlife Federation has come out in opposition to C-21, as has the Saskatchewan Association of Regional Municipalities. If you are a member of an outdoors group, it's worth seeing if your leadership is willing to issue a statement similar to the BCWF. And, ask your local city or town leadership about their stance on C-21, particularly the most recent amendments. If they're opposed, that's info that MPs need to know.

What can you do?

If you want to help, check out our letter-writing advice here, and maybe visit Stopc21.ca to help out that effort as well. While public feedback is often ignored by our politicians, the other parties appear to be displeased with the Liberals' tactics on C-21, and they are also very mindful of a potential spring election (or earlier, if the NDP withdraw support from the Liberals). Respectful letters and emails to all parties are more important now than ever.

Also remember that this bill is not in front of the Senate yet, but if it passes, it will be. Might as well get started on a letter campaign there, too!

Parliamentary petition e-4097 is also about to close; sign it here, before next week's cut-off date, to express your displeasure with C-21.

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