LAKELAND - The federal government withdrew its amendments to Bill C-21 on Feb. 3.
In 2022, the federal government proposed changes to firearms legislation with Bill C-21, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the time that, “We’re proposing some of the strongest measures in Canadian history to keep guns out of our communities and build a safer future for everyone.”
Bill C-21 proposes “a number of amendments to the Criminal Code, the Firearms Act, and other federal legislation that seek to fulfill the Government of Canada’s commitments in relation to gun control and to protect Canadians from firearms-related harm,” according to information from the Government of Canada.
Then in November last year, the federal government proposed an amendment to the bill, which includes the creation of an “evergreen” definition of prohibited “assault-style” firearm, leading to concerns and confusion across the political spectrum. The bill was tabled.
On Feb. 3, Ottawa withdrew the bill. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino also posted a statement on Twitter, stating, “the past few weeks have seen considerable discussion about the best way to move forward.”
He said that legitimate concerns had been raised about the “need for more consultation and debate on this vital part of the bill,” which many Albertans and politicians say targets hunters and farmers.
“We hear those concerns loud and clear, regret the confusion that this process has caused and are committed to a thoughtful and respectful conversation that is based on facts, not fear,” said Mendicino, adding “this is an emotional issue, and Canadians are counting on us to get it right.”
According to Mendicino, more discussions are crucial, including with Indigenous communities. He also claimed the government’s intent is to focus on “AR-15s and other assault-style weapons” and not guns that are commonly used for hunting.
Mendicino further reiterated that Bill C-21 is not about targeting hunters, but “it’s about certain guns that are too dangerous in other contexts.” No context was provided in the statement as an example.
“We are now getting to work with our parliamentary colleagues to craft a clear solution that will keep assault-style weapons off our streets,” said Mendicino, adding the government will collaborate with other parties to “get the balance right and complete this process.”
During a Feb. 3 news conference, following Ottawa’s withdrawal of the amendments, official opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “desperately wanted to ban hunting rifles.”
He also said Trudeau “is doing this because he got caught,” adding that Conservatives will not “let Justin Trudeau ban hunting rifles.”
Alberta Minister of Justice Tyle Shandro also released a Feb. 3 statement, stating that the federal government’s decision “was merely a pause in their campaign to ban shotguns and rifles commonly used by hunters, farmers, sport shooters and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.”
Shandro’s stated that Mendicino’s intent is to “continue to pursue avenues to ban widely owned shotguns and rifles.”
“It is becoming increasingly clear that further action will need to be taken to respond to the federal government’s hostility towards hunters, farmers, sport shooters and Indigenous Peoples,” concluded Shandro.
