PAUL
MARTIN'S LETTER
SUPPORTING
THE GUN REGISTRY
Hon. Paul Martin
Member of Parliament
LaSalle/Émard
July
2, 2003
Dear
Mr. ________ ,
Thank
you for your recent letter concerning the firearms program.
I share your concern regarding the cost overruns related to the licencing
and registration aspects of this program.
Financial
accountability is extremely important in maintaining government credibility.
In terms of cost control, the execution of the firearms registry
demonstrated serious problems from the outset.
All members of cabinet during that time, including myself, bear some
responsibility for that failure.
In
January 2003, the Minister of Justice commissioned Raymond Hession to lead a
study recommending a streamlined and cost-effective licencing and registration
process. Mr. Hession, a former
federal Deputy Minister, brings forty years of experience in addressing complex
business problems in public and private sectors.
His
report provided a number of recommendations which now form the basis of a
government action plan to reform the firearms program.
These changes are designed to provide the program with focused
leadership, better financial controls and constant review to continually improve
the process. The reconstruction and
reorganization of the firearms program is part of a broader necessity for fiscal
responsibility across the government, in all of its programs and departments.
In
evaluating management problems with the firearms program, it is important not to
lose sight of its overriding objective. We
must take every reasonable step to reduce the incidence of gun-related violence
in our communities. Enhancing the
protection and safety of Canadians by providing additional tools and resources
to our law enforcement officials must be a key priority for government.
This goal must form the bedrock of strong laws and regulations to promote
the responsible use of firearms in Canada.
To
better target the criminal use of firearms, I also support stiffer sentences for
individuals convicted of using a firearm during the commission of an offence.
Thank
you again for taking the time to write on this important issue.
For
further information on this or any other policy area, I would like to direct you
to my website at www.paulmartintimes.ca .
Sincerely,
The
Honourable Paul Martin, P.C., M.P.
Ottawa
Office
Room
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of Commons
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(613) 992-4291
E-mail:
martip@parl.gc.ca
Constituency
Office
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Quebec
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E-mail:
martip@parl.gc.ca
BUT
PAUL MARTIN WROTE THE 1993 RED BOOK
PAUL MARTIN WROTE THE 1993 RED BOOK THAT SAID:
“In order to combat crime a Liberal government will work in a broad
range of areas. To strengthen gun control, a Liberal government will, among
other measures, counter the illegal importation of banned and restricted
firearms into Canada and prohibit anyone convicted of an indictable drug-related
offence, a stalking offence, or any violent offence from owning or possessing a
gun."
SOURCE: "Creating Opportunity: The Liberal Plan for Canada" SAFE HOMES, SAFE STREETS - The "Red Book", 1993
"Why
does everyone want to absolve Martin, who wrote the Red Book”
SOURCE: The Toronto Star, Dalton Camp Column: "Beatty just a fall guy for CBC's real foes" - Page A23 - Wednesday, December 4, 1996
SHEILA
COPPS:
“I think that my understanding of Paul's statement was that he believed
that the Red Book was very clear. He wrote the Red Book."
SOURCE: CTV - An interview with Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps - Craig Oliver (Host) - Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 5, 1996.
JUSTICE
MINISTER ALLAN ROCK:
"But let me say this. If
I can refer back to the platform document, the Liberal Party sought election on
a platform that contained specific proposals in relation to gun control, and we
intend to implement them. There’s
not much in those proposals that involves legislation.
Mostly, it’s administration."
SOURCE: HOUSE OF COMMONS - Minutes of the Proceedings and Evidence of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs - Page 4-10 - March 10, 1994 - First Session of the Thirty-fifth Parliament, 1994.