Monday, November 02, 2009

Layton Banks On Liberal Senate Killing Bill C-391

...which abolishes the long-gun registry.

Thank you for contacting me about Bill C-391, An Act to amend theCriminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry).

As with the Canadian population at large, there are a variety ofopinions on this issue within our party and our caucus. The vote on this Bill at second reading will be a free vote for New Democratic Party MPs.

However, it is clear that the Harper government has botched this issue by choosing to play partisan, political games. They know perfectly well that they can't get C-391 passed in the Senate.

For our part, New Democrats will continue to support laws that will ensure fewer guns on our streets, not more.

Again, thank you for sharing your views on this matter.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada's New Democrats


What leadership (he said ironically).

13 comments:

Gayle said...

So on one hand he is decrying that unelected liberal dominated senate, and on the other he is praying they will do his job for him?

And if the senate does reject this bill, will he be on the news complaining about them subverting the will of the people?

RuralSandi said...

Yup, say anything Jack is back.

Ti-Guy said...

After reading crap like this I'm starting to wonder whether abolishing the Senate might not be a good idea after all.

...what am saying? As if that'll prevent grasping former-journalists cum toadies-to-power from soiling public discourse with their toxic waste.

Pamela Wallin...You used to impress me. Now you're just sad, old and addled.

RuralSandi said...

This is Wallin's 2nd article on this in a few weeks....I wonder if it's a Harper tactic of Afghanistan marketing.

Also - Wallin was a journalist. What expertise does she have on military matters - NONE

Ti-Guy said...

I wonder if it's a Harper tactic of Afghanistan marketing.

Of course it is. I'd be surprised if she even wrote that herself.

Frank said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Good approach in theory. The problem with Jack's plan is that by the time the Bill gets to the Senate, probably in late Spring 2010, the Conservatives will have a voting majority in the Upper House.

The Liberals currently have a razor thin majority there and a few Senators are turning the mandatory retirement age in the next few months.

Robert said...

Maybe if the long gun registry did anything Layton would care more about it. Right now it is more of a ideological stance.

NDP support it because they for gun control

Liberals support because they would look stuipd if they didnt

Problem it that truly doesn't do a thing. This is coming from a rural NDPer BTW. I like the stance taken on a free vote.

Ti-Guy said...

Remember...homicide rates are highest in areas of greatest gun enthusiasm.

I'll bite it sooner from some drunken rustic huntin' critters and thinking I'm trespassing as I skip and gambol through the woods, glades and fields of Lanark county than I ever will in Toronto.

RuralSandi said...

I was curious about Candice Hoeppner.

Now we know why she knows how to created a "wedge" issue:

Hoeppner previously worked in the financial planning industry and later ran her own successful political consulting firm. In 2004, she was the Manitoba campaign manager for Stephen Harper's leadership bid for the Conservative Party of Canada. She has acted as an advisor to several Members of Parliament, and served as chief organizer for the Conservative Party in Manitoba.

...her expertise on guns and crime - nadda.

C4SR said...

So basically, Layton is arguing that electing NDP MPs is useless.

I agree.

I also hope that Liberal MPs are less useless although Bagnell and Rota are making me doubt that.

A Eliz. said...

Without the senate, there would be a complete dictatorial government to pass everything the dictatorial leader wants..no one can say no.

RuralSandi said...

Ah, remember the good old days when Harper told Canadians it's safe to vote for him because there would be checks and balances...the senate.