I have campaigned to scrap the Long Gun Registry since 2004. Repeal of this hated legislation has been part of the Conservative election platform in the past 3 campaigns. Because we have had two minority governments in a row, we have never been in a position to successfully introduce Government legislation to eliminate the registry.

My colleague, Candace Hoeppner from Manitoba recently presented a private members bill in Parliament calling for an end to the Long Gun Registry. Because all parties generally allow free votes on private member's legislation we were confident this bill would pass. It did pass first and second reading with the help of 8 Liberal MPs and   NDP members voting to abolish the registry.

However the Leader of the Official Opposition, Michael Ignatieff has publicly stated that he will "whip" his caucus to vote against Candace's bill when the bill is returned to the House for voting at third reading. This means that the 8 Liberal MPs who voted as per their constituent's wishes at first and second reading to end the Registry, will now have to vote in favour of maintaining it.

During my six years as MP for Stormont Dundas and South Glengarry, I have had no more than a dozen people tell me they were in favour of maintaining the Long Gun Registry. On the other hand, I have had more than 1,000 constituents, including a number of police officers, insist our government abolish it as soon as possible. My colleagues tell me constituents in their ridings across the country feel the exactly the same way. I just hope that Mr. Ignatieff and his Liberal caucus come to their senses before the vote is taken at third reading. I don't want to campaign on this issue again.


Guy Lauzon, MP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry