The federal government finally listened to New Democrats and Indigenous groups, such as the Assembly of First Nations, by removing the controversial amendment to their gun legislation, according to an NDP media release.
Bill C-21 was originally intended to address rising handgun violence in Canada’s largest cities, but Canadians who depend on hunting rifles to maintain their cultures and sustain their livelihoods found themselves in the middle of this government’s political games, the release stated.
“After weeks of public and political pressure, the government has finally admitted to making a mess of this bill,” stated North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney. “So many residents expressed to me their increased stress levels, which could have been prevented if they had gotten it right in the first place. I’m glad that the Liberals have finally heard reason from the voices brought forward by the NDP, and are cleaning up their own mess.
“While the Conservatives were busy using this issue to fundraise and make money, New Democrats put in the work to make sure hunters, farmers and Indigenous communities wouldn’t be harmed by the Liberal government’s bungled bill.”
The release stated that since the amendment was announced at the 11th hour of the parliamentary committee on Bill C-21, New Democrats have been fighting to get them to drop it. The Assembly of First Nations also made it clear they would not support the government’s changes when they voted against the bill in December because it encroached on their treaty rights, according to the release.
“In rural and Indigenous communities where the rising cost of food has meant many families have had to cut back on their budgets, it’s important that we protect the tools people need to feed their kids, and maintain their livelihoods,” stated NDP Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns. “We can’t put these necessary tools in the same box as handguns that are used to commit crimes in major cities.”
