Liberals Propose new firearms legislation

On March 20, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale tabled Bill C-71, an Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms. It includes provisions on background checks and mandatory record-keeping practices for vendors. As Conservatives, we always believe the safety of Canadians should be the number one priority of any government.

However, this legislation has no new measures to combat gang violence in cities or escalating crime rates in rural communities. Bill C-71 fails to tackle the concerns around organized crime and other criminals who use illegal guns to commit violent crimes. The Ceska Zbrojovka CZ-858 rifle and certain Swiss Arms firearms will be classified as prohibited, but it appears that current owners of those firearms will be grandfathered. There is nothing in the bill regarding the costs associated with the legislation’s proposals.

Because of new procedures, there is significant concern that this will become a new gun registry. The Liberals have allowed the registry to continue in Quebec – why would they not do the same across Canada? We adamantly oppose any attempt by the Liberals to create a new long-gun registry.

Liberals turn down Canada Summer Jobs Motion

This past Monday, our Conservative Party made a motion to oppose the values test Justin Trudeau imposed on Canadians applying for the Canada Summer Jobs Program. His policy isn’t about the activities or services an organization is engaged in; it is about targeting the personal beliefs of the individuals who run those organizations.

Under Prime Minister Trudeau’s value test, if you don’t agree with the ideological positions of the Liberal Party, your organization will no longer be eligible to receive funding for a summer student, as many of our annual applicants will soon find out.

Canadians always have the right to hold a different opinion than the government of the day. Canadians do believe and respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but they are very concerned that Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Government are basing funding decisions on whether or not you agree with their Liberal ideology.

Our Conservative party and a number of my constituents in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex are also concerned that the Prime Minister will apply his values test to Canadians receiving other services which could be, for example, organizations receiving charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency.

LKM Olympic Medals from PyeongChang 2018 Paralympics

Canada had a record-breaking performance at the 12th Paralympic Winter Games with 28 medals won by Team Canada, six of which by Ontario para-athletes. This year 21 Ontario athletes were part of the largest Canadian Team ever sent, competing in all five sports in PyeongChang, South Korea. Congratulations to Tyler McGregor of Forest, ON and Canada’s Para ice hockey team who brought home a Silver Medal. I also want to congratulate Mark Ideson of London, skip for Team Canada who took home Bronze in wheelchair curling. Mark trains in Ilderton, ON.

Did you Know?

– Ice Dance pair, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, are the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history. This week, they had a lot of fun being themselves on the television talk show Ellen.

– Canada is ranked ninth in the all-time Paralympic Winter Games medal table with 119 total medals, made up of 36 gold, 41 silver and 42 bronze. Thanks and congratulations to all the participants and their families!