This week the Harper government again extended the “amnesty” on registering weapons, as required by Canada’s gun control law. This government rightly criticized the bungled implementation of the law when it was in opposition. It has now had years to fix the problems but has done nothing but introduce a sham motion in the Senate to repeal the law; a motion it knows will not pass and is therefore nothing other than political posturing.
I support gun control legislation but respect others’ right to hold a differing view and even work to change the law. I also expect my government to enforce the laws adopted by Parliament. The current prime minister often refers to the supremacy of Parliament, often without regard to the balancing rights of the Supreme Court and overlooking that the Senate is as much a part of Parliament as the House of Commons. Why then does he refuse to obey the law Parliament, in its wisdom, enacted? Did he and his ministers not take oaths to uphold the law?
It’s really quite simple. Governments have an obligation to enforce the laws. While they might indicate that they intend to change the law, the argument falls flat when after years in office no action has been taken in that regard. The answer to why nothing has been done is that the government knows it is the will of Parliament to keep the law as it is. Until the law is changed, the government and its officers are legally and morally obligated to enforce it.
In all probability, the government knows that the majority of Canadians, supported by the Association of Chiefs of Police, want strong gun control laws. This government represents a minority of Canadians and has to face the fact Parliament will not approve repeal of the law (with the growing urban population, the chances of gun control legislation being weakened are reduced with every redistribution of Common seats). Yet the government chooses to disobey the law.
The next time you hear a Conservative preach “law and order” and professing an intent to “get tough on criminals”, ask when will (s)he will get tough on the “criminals” in Harper’s government who have failed to enforce gun law. It’s time to ensure Canadians have the protection their Parliament intended. There can be no amnesty on enforcing the law.
