Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's been a lot of reaction to the proposed Bill C-68, the new firearms legislation. At this time, I would like to make some comments on this bill. The federal bill, as introduced, has very honourable intentions and those intentions are to try to stop criminals from using firearms in the commission of a crime. There are many other aspects of the bill that, in some respects, can be supported such as the registration of handguns and the registration of other fancy weapons that are used for purposes other than for hunting or subsistence gathering.

My own opinion is I am opposed to the current bill because it will severely restrict the abilities of northerners to continue what they do daily; that is, to hunt and trap and use weapons for subsistence gathering. I'm totally opposed to the aspects of the bill which include the annual registration, the inability to lend weapons to friends who are in need and the inability to leave weapons in your boat, sleigh, or cabins unattended. Under the new legislation, these are perceived as criminal acts and I'm totally opposed to those aspects of the bill. I just wanted to make my statement on that today. Mahsi.

---Applause