Below are parts of an email exchange between CON MP Garry Breitkreuz and NDP MP Charlie Angus concerning scrapping the long gun registry. I have to disagree with the journalist’s conclusion that ” Angus may be on the verge of changing his mind and voting to kill the registry.” I see quite the opposite in Angus’ response, but you decide:
From: Breitkreuz, Garry - M.P.
To: Angus, Charlie - Personal
…I can appreciate that the NDP M.P.s who supported Bill C-391 are now under tremendous pressure to flip-flop by supporting the motion to kill the bill on September 22. This is just a short note to remind you that nothing has changed since you supported Bill C-391 on November 4, 2009.
To: Angus, Charlie - Personal
…I can appreciate that the NDP M.P.s who supported Bill C-391 are now under tremendous pressure to flip-flop by supporting the motion to kill the bill on September 22. This is just a short note to remind you that nothing has changed since you supported Bill C-391 on November 4, 2009.
…In light of the Liberal leader's decision to whip his caucus into killing Bill C-301 on September 22, your voice is even more important…you will be representing them with pride when you vote against the motion on September 22.
From:Angus, Charlie - Personal
To: Breitkreuz, Garry - M.P.
... I was more than a little surprised to hear from you about the registry, again. Its interesting that this is the only rural issue you ever seem to want to talk to us about. You and your government have hardly been collegial with rural New Democrats on addressing the concerns of our citizens.
To: Breitkreuz, Garry - M.P.
... I was more than a little surprised to hear from you about the registry, again. Its interesting that this is the only rural issue you ever seem to want to talk to us about. You and your government have hardly been collegial with rural New Democrats on addressing the concerns of our citizens.
… I supported getting Bill C-391 to committee because I felt rural Canadians had legitimate concerns about the costs of the registry, its effectiveness and whether or not it is used effectively by police. I was really hoping we could all work together as Parliamentarians, listen to the problems with the registry, hear from various witnesses and finally get answers to these fundamental questions. Unfortunately, your government has fought against information getting out, actively suppressed departmental reports and publically attacked police officers who dare disagree with you.
But I do appreciate your letter. Thanks to your opinion piece, I learned that the Harper government believes the real reason police are "strident" on this issue is because they dont want Canadians to own guns. And you seem to claim the real reason police want to keep the registry is not for public safety, but so they someday will be able to burst into family homes and seize grampa's 20 gauge. Sorry Gary, but that's just crazy talk about our police.
…So Gary, let's be frank: we're just not on the same page here at all. Rural New Democrats have brought forward legitimate concerns of rural residents and are looking to have those issues addressed. The Harper Conservatives, on the other hand, would rather try and just stir up rural Canadians with all manner of wild and crazy conspiracy theories about our local police forces. And just for the sake of a quick fundraising buck and some negative partisan advertising.
Thanks for the advice, but no thanks.
We should hear from elected MPs. Keep it up, guys.
Praise to Angus for his integrity and his kick-ass response.
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