- Jack Layton - Here's a Good Plan

Posted: 8/31/2010 12:12:05 PM The Globe and Mail

Jack Layton's refusal to crack whip bodes ill for gun registry, Gloria Galloway, Globe and Mail, August 30, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ Tab 52

Mr. Layton should explain just exactly how he would be able to " introduce his own legislation – possibly in the form of a private-member’s bill – to address rural concerns." if the private member's bill is passed.

For one thing, you can betcha Harper and the Con's will dismantle it, forthwith, to at least the full-extent allowed by the Bill.

- Compare: "This private member's bill will require the destruction of more than 8,000,000 firearms records." (William Blair, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and head of Toronto's police department, Globe and Mail, Nov. 03, 2009).

It seems to me more rational to ensure that this Private Member's Bill fails.

(If for no other reason than:

- Harper should be up front about it and have the Con government introduce the Bill;
- the failure to release the '08 Gun Registry Report last November until just after the vote; and,
- the failure, so far, of releasing the '09 Gun Registry Report, in which RCMP evaluation apparently states that:

"The report concludes the registry prepares officers for urgent calls, helps them trace weapons found at crime scenes and assists in keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally unstable.

“It ensures police are better equipped to respond to, for example, a situation of domestic violence, assess potential safety risks and confirm the possible presence of firearms and their legal status,” the evaluation says." (Globe and Mail)

- I can understand why Harper might not want that in front of the Canadian people prior to the vote.)

Then, once this Bill is defeated " introduce his own legislation".

Ignatieff is right (morally that is) if this Bill passes, Jack Layton may very well be the cause of Canadians not getting changes to the Gun Registry that are rationally based, taking into account the good of all Canadians, in all demographics.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html