Conservative MPs are criticizing a government motion seeking to speed up the adoption of Bill C-21, which contains similar elements the Liberals had abandoned under pressure a few months ago.
And while the Tories had support from the NDP late last year to defeat two Liberal amendments to the gun control bill, this time the NDP is on board with the government’s plan.
“The fact that they’re severely limiting debate in that regard, and forcing this through, I think is deeply deeply concerning, certainly to the democratic process,” Conservative MP Raquel Dancho said at a news conference in Ottawa on May 8.
“This notice of motion came as a real blow, I think, to the hunting, sports shooting, and farming community across Canada.”
The Conservatives say the Liberals’ gun control measures target law-abiding citizens instead of criminals, while the Liberals hold that some types of firearms should not be in circulation to prevent shootings.
Holland also seeks to reduce the amount of time for debates on clauses and amendments in committee, as well as limit debate when the bill returns to the House for third reading. The motion is likely to be passed later this week.
One of the amendments the Liberals and the NDP want to see adopted is the establishment of an evergreen definition to prohibit so-called “assault style” rifles.
As opposed to the amendment previously tabled by the Liberals in November and subsequently pulled in February over outcry from the public and opposition parties, the latest definition would only apply to new firearms on the market after the bill is adopted.
The other amendment the Liberals dropped in February related to adding 482 rifles to the prohibited list.
Dancho said the definition is exactly the same as the last one, “for all intents and purposes,” and suggested the Liberals have “hidden” from the public the list of firearms they want to ban and are going to instead pass it to their “so-called firearms advisory committee.”
“This has not changed from November. They have not learned a thing, they have not listened to Canada’s hunting, farming, and sports shooting community or Canada’s indigenous community,” she said.
NDP MP Peter Julian told reporters in Ottawa on May 8 that the Conservatives are filibustering regarding Bill C-21 and that his party will support Holland’s motion and the Liberals’ amendments to the bill.
One of the amendments seeks to target untraceable or “ghost guns,” which he says is “vitally important” for law enforcement.
Julian was asked whether he supported the banning of some of the 482 firearms through a committee referral. He said the problem with the previous amendment was there at had been no consultation and he expects this will now take place with the firearms committee.
“Our expectation is that there is full consultation,” he said. “And our concern is that indigenous people that hunters, that farmers, as well as people who are concerned about firearms in this country, that they’re all together under one roof, making that recommendation.”
Dancho said the latest move by the government signals that it has not paid heed to concerns raised by the public.
“It’s very clear that Justin Trudeau yet again, has learned nothing from the so-called consultations that his cabinet has done over the last few months,” she said. “And this is another attack on hunting rifles and another another thing that he’s doing to show that he’s coming for hunting rifles, and he’s not going to stop.”
The Epoch Times reached out to Holland’s office but didn’t immediately hear back.
