PUBLICATION:        The Leader-Post (Regina)

DATE:                         2004.05.21

EDITION:                    Final

SECTION:                  Viewpoints

PAGE:                         B7

SOURCE:                   The Leader-Post

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Registry reform changes little

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Anyone who thought the federal Liberals were going to scrap the gun registry just hasn't been paying attention.

While the federal registry is despised in Western Canada, where it is seen as making criminals of hunters and farmers, it likely doesn't cost the Liberals too many seats. But its widespread support in major eastern Canadian urban centres might translate into lost seats if it was to be cancelled. And when Prime Minister Paul

Martin ordered a review of the program, he made it clear he was not in favour of scrapping it.

So it's no real surprise that on the eve of an expected federal election announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and

Treasury Board president Reg Alcock announced Thursday a series of measures that amount to little more than tinkering with the badly flawed gun control program. The program, initially billed as costing $2 million once registration fees were factored in, has cost taxpayers $1 billion since its inception in 1995.

The most welcome news was that the annual cost of the registry component of the program will be capped at $25 million starting next fiscal year. (The current cost is $33 million, down from $48 million in 2001). And the fact the money will be voted in a separate appropriation will make the registry more transparent and accountable.

It is also welcome news that the government intends to stiffen penalties for gun crimes, although including that as part of an announcement dealing with reforming the gun registry is a bit of a stretch.

Other changes will see the elimination of fees for the registration and transfer of firearms, a streamlining of the licence renewal process, the creation of a firearms advisory working group and consultation with aboriginal groups, who have argued the law infringes on their treaty rights.

However, the government hasn't backed down on the requirement that all firearms and owners be licenced.

Much ado about very little. Given recent news reports that guns are still readily available on the black market, Canada would be much better off if the $1 billion flushed down the gun registry drain had gone to the RCMP and other federal law enforcement agencies.