Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Caucus Subcommittee on Gun Control, I wish to provide an update on the status of Bill C-68, which amends the Criminal Code. A new Firearms Act was introduced in February 1995, and shortly afterwards was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. Public hearings were held in Ottawa. On the 24th of April, our Caucus Subcommittee on Gun Control made a presentation to this parliamentary committee. At that time, we identified the serious concerns of northerners about the impact of Bill C-68 on our rights and way of life.
The committee criticized the severe penalties that would be imposed for possession of firearms without proper documentation and the provisions for lending, transferring and storage which were either unenforceable in the north or would result in injustices if enforced. We called for amendments which would suspend the application of Bill C-68 in the Northwest Territories. The governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Yukon and Manitoba also presented briefs to the standing committee in May opposing the legislation. Recently, New Brunswick -- specifically, the Premier -- spoke out clearly in opposition, as well.
The James Bay Cree and the Yukon Council of Indians presented briefs on the 10th of May which challenged the constitutionality of the amendments, arguing that the amendments violated the terms of their land claims agreements (treaties), which require consultation on measures which affect their hunting rights. Ovide Mercredi of the Assembly of First Nations and Rosemary Kuptana of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada appeared on May 15th and argued that the bill violates the rights of native people.
The federal government struck a firearms task force, comprised of officials, to consult with native groups on the impact and implementation of C-68. This task force met with groups in Iqaluit, Yellowknife, and other centres and has a whirlwind schedule of consultation with aboriginal groups across the Northwest Territories. The government of the Northwest Territories has been extremely critical of the quality of this consultation, which began with little advance notice and little opportunity for a meaningful dialogue between aboriginal people and the members of this task force. We have expressed our criticisms of the process to the Department of Justice and to the Minister.
Minister Rock announced amendments to the bill which made inadvertent possession of a firearm contrary to the act a summary conviction offence, in response to the criticism from virtually all intervenors that the proposed penalties in the bill for illegal possession were excessive. He also announced a change which will limit the powers of the police to search for firearms in a house. These amendments, while welcomed, do not go far enough to make Bill C-68 acceptable to the people of the north.
A controversy arose in late May when the Prime Minister was reported to have said that the costs of implementing C-68 were to be borne by the provinces. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice have since clarified that the upfront implementation costs would be borne exclusively by the federal government and, in the longer term, the costs of administering the firearms program would be covered by fees charged for the acquisition of licences and the registration of firearms.
Even with respect to the current firearms legislation, the federal government has taken the position that the costs would be covered by fees. The Government of the Northwest Territories has consistently expressed to the federal government that, whether in the context of current legislation and Bill C-68, the program cannot be self-financing in the north. Costs in the north are prohibitive. Moreover, many hunters cannot afford to pay any fees. The financing of the costs of administering gun control legislation, whether C-68 is passed in its present form
or not, must be the responsibility of the federal government and will, ultimately, come out of the pockets of taxpayers.
The standing committee wrapped up its hearings today and will likely report back to the House on Wednesday, June 7th. There will likely be a debate in the House of Commons, after which the bill will be referred to the Senate.
On June 1st, I wrote to the Senate on behalf of the Caucus subcommittee, inviting the Senate to visit and hold hearings in the Northwest Territories. The Senate does not have the power to defeat the bill, but could propose amendments which the House of Commons could accept or reject. We do not yet know if the Senate is prepared to hold hearings or if they're prepared to travel to the Northwest Territories.
People of the north, like all other Canadians, remain strongly opposed to the universal registration of firearms. We must continue to express our opposition at every available opportunity, but at this stage, it will be expressions from northerners from all walks of life which will have the greatest impact. The Legislative Assembly has stated its position clearly and, as other groups express the same position, it will become clear to the federal government that this is truly a grass-roots issue.
The federal government remains committed to Bill C-68 and so far is only prepared to make minor amendments. If we persist with our opposition and other Canadians do the same, there is still a chance that the federal government can be persuaded to make meaningful changes to this bill. Later today, I will table the resolutions and letters we have received from various community councils and organizations. Each details why the group is concerned and in opposition to Bill C-68. Thank you.
---Applause