Gun control ends don’t justify the order-in-council means
OTTAWA—On May 1, the prime minister and cabinet announced the government would ban the sale of 11 “military-style” weapons, in 1,500 versions. The response from most Liberals was enormous satisfaction at this “swift, courageous measure.” Except from this corner. Now, as regular readers know, I support some gun control. In a 2018 column, I wrote, […]
Ballistic tracing, tougher penalties, joint operations key to slowing cross-border gun smuggling, say former top cops
Ballistic tracing, joint-force operations, and tougher penalties for smugglers are some of the ways Canada can stem the flow of illegal guns across its border with the U.S., say two former police chiefs now sitting in the Senate. The Liberal government has pledged once again to crack down on cross-border gun smuggling as part of […]
Trudeau announces immediate prohibition on 1,500 ‘military-grade assault weapons’
The Liberal government is introducing an immediate ban on 1,500 models and variants of assault-style weapons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday. Addressing reporters on Friday in the West Block, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said that the government is closing the market to “military-grade” firearms, making it illegal to buy, sell, import, or use these […]
Two in, one out of Public Safety Minister Blair’s policy team
AN APARTMENT NEAR PARLIAMENT HILL—A new regional adviser for Quebec and two new senior policy advisers are among the recent additions to Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair’s team. Emily Horonowitsch joined Mr. Blair’s office as Quebec regional affairs adviser in early March. She was last working in Ontario Independent Senator Donna Dasko’s […]
Nova Scotia massacre again drives home urgent need for action on gun control, gender violence
OTTAWA—At a raucous party in Portapique, N.S., some years ago, the shooter in the recent massacre had an argument with his girlfriend, removed the tires from her car so she couldn’t leave, and then locked her out of their house, a long-time neighbour recalled. Trying to help the girlfriend, John Hudson went to the house […]
The U.S. COVID response is a strong lesson in what not to do
OTTAWA—As COVID-19 has now affected the entire globe, it is interesting to observe just how it has impacted different cultures, aside from actual mortality rates or those measures governments have taken to contain the spread of the virus. In Italy, for instance, one of those countries that has been exceptionally hard hit by COVID-19, locked […]
Prison farm program should be broadened to increase prisoner distancing amid COVID-19, advocate argues
Prison farm programs in two Ontario institutions could be broadened to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19, says an advocate whose call is bolstered by two Parliamentarians, who say the Correctional Service of Canada needs to do a better job protecting prisoners from the virus. Between the two southern Ontario prisons in question—Collins Bay Institution […]
‘Canada’s forgotten public health emergency’: opioid crisis rages amid the pandemic, says former Harper aide
With public health officials largely preoccupied with beating back the spread of the stealthy coronavirus, Benjamin Perrin, a former senior aide to then-prime minister Stephen Harper, says the collision of the pandemic with the opioid crisis has the makings of a “perfect storm.” Given that a potential vaccine for COVID-19 is still likely many months, […]
How quickly can the COVID-19 crackdown turn into cracking the whip on Black and brown bodies?
OTTAWA—Evidently, the killing of Black men by the police is an essential service. Last week, Peel Regional Police in Brampton, Ont., shot and killed D’Andre Campbell, a 26-year-old Black man with a known—as in, known to the police—history of mental health issues. It was Campbell who called the police on April 6 and it was […]
‘Critical situation’ in prisons as health-care workers threaten to walk over lack of protective equipment
Health-care workers in Canada’s federal prison system are on the verge of walking off the job over coronavirus-related safety concerns, according to their union, as pressure mounts on other public servants who would be tasked with handling the early release of inmates. “This is a very critical situation that we’re trying to resolve” with the […]
