Saskatchewan Resolutions Against Gun Control

SWF Resolutions
        24.  RCMP - (1998)
        L-3 RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS - (1999)
        27.  Bill C-68 and C-17 - (2000)
        Evaluation of Bill C-68 - Swift Current Wildlife Federation (2001)
        Funding for Health Care - Swift Current Wildlife Federation (2001)
Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers (SACO) Resolution
Federation of Canadian Municipalities Resolutions
        EVALUATION OF BILL C-68 (2001)
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Resolutions
        Resolution No. 53 - (1997)
        Resolution No. 47 - (1998)
        RM of Last Valley No. 250 - (2000)
        RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157 - (2000)
        RM of Val Marie #17 - (2001)
Royal Canadian Legion Resolution
        General Resolution – (2001)
Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Resolution
        34.  Gun Control Legislation – (1995)
(SACO) Letter to Saskatchewan Environment & Resource Management Minister
 
 
 

Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

SWF - 24.  RCMP - (1998)

WHEREAS the opposition to Bill C-68 continues to grow, and

WHEREAS several provinces, including Saskatchewan, have opted out of enforcement and administration of the bill, and

WHEREAS the federal government intends to use the RCMP to enforce C-68 in spite of the overwhelming opposition to this legislation in Saskatchewan,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan replace the RCMP with a provincial police force that is more accountable to the people of Saskatchewan.

Note: Be it known that this resolution is not a criticism of the RCMP or the excellent services they provide.

RFC(Sask) Editorial Comment: Please read this news article on related Alberta activities and this news release from Garry Breitkreuz.

WHEREAS the federal government continues to operate as a puppet government to the mandates of the United Nations and NATO in respect to small arms control and confiscation, and

WHEREAS the control of property, according to the Canadian Constitution, is in the hands of the provincial governments, but this control has been illegally usurped by the federal government, and

WHEREAS the possession of firearms for recreation, hunting and protection (defense against criminals and/or a wanton government) is in jeopardy, and

WHEREAS our brothers and sisters in the United States of America have enjoyed the protection of a constitutional amendment expressing a right to keep and bear arms, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation recommend to the government of Saskatchewan that a law be developed that states “THE CITIZENS OF SASKATCHEWAN SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS and THAT THIS RIGHT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED UPON.”

WHEREAS the federal government continues to interfere with our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage through laws (such as C-68 and C-17) by imposing restrictive firearms and criminal legislation upon our methods and tools used to carry out these rights, and

WHEREAS the methods and tools used for these purposes are part and parcel of this historically established heritage and thus not negotiable to control or regulation by government as inscribed in the “Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” General #27.  “This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians”, and

WHEREAS the federal legislation existing in C-68 and C-17 clearly infringes upon Canadians’ rights and freedoms to life and liberty violating section 7 of Legal Rights (in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) by creating cumbersome, expensive, absurd requirements for its citizens; thus forcing hunters, trappers, and fishermen to change their culture toward the ideals maintained by the political and economical elite currently in power of the day, therefore;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation recommend to the Government of Saskatchewan that a Provincial Heritage Law be developed and enshrined into Provincial Law which states: The Residents of Saskatchewan shall have the right to keep and bear arms and no law will infringe upon heritage rights relating to fishing or trapping or hunting, and if necessary the Government of Saskatchewan will invoke the “Not Withstanding Clause” so described under the Charter, toward any law which infringes upon the aforementioned heritage of Saskatchewan Residents.

WHEREAS the Honorable Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, stated on Thursday, February 16, 1995 during the House of Commons debate over the second reading of Bill C-68: “We say that it will cost $85 million.”  “We are confident that we will demonstrate that the figures are realistic and accurate.”, and

WHEREAS the Honorable Allan Rock stated “This legislation will help us preserve the peaceful character of Canadian society and help police fight crime and violence.”, and

WHEREAS the Federal Government has admitted the costs now exceed $500 million, and

WHEREAS cabinet secrecy is hiding another $500 million in costs, and

WHEREAS the Canadian Police Association issued a news release asking the federal government for “the tools, resources and technology to compete with today’s sophisticated criminals”, and

WHEREAS the Federal Government has now asked the police to cut budgets by 6% in the fiscal year of 2001; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation petition the Federal Government and the Auditor General of Canada to evaluate the costs vs. the intent of Bill C-68, and make public the results of the inquiry to determine if this is the most cost efficient way to preserve the peaceful character of Canadian society and help the police fight crime and violence.

WHEREAS the Federal Government has told the Provincial Premiers there is no money for health care, but in the same breath has asked the same Premiers what programs they would have the Federal Government cut to provide health care funds, and

WHEREAS seven provinces and territories have taken the Federal Government to court over Bill C-68 because they see it as a total waste of money with no tangible benefits; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Premier of Saskatchewan make it known to the Federal Government once more that they scrap Bill C-68 and use the available funds for health care.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Premier make a public statement regarding this position and that he also encourage other Premiers to do the same.

WHEREAS Saskatchewan has a rich history, tradition and legal right of hunting, fishing and trapping by First Nation peoples, Metis and non-aboriginal peoples;

WHEREAS the Government of Canada’s Bill C-68 threatens these traditions and rights;

WHEREAS Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management has the mandate to protect and encourage these rights and traditions;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Minister of Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management urge the Premier of the Province of Saskatchewan to invoke the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Constitution to exempt Saskatchewan from the legal requirements of Bill C-68.

EVALUATION OF BILL C-68 (2001)

WHEREAS the Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, stated on Thursday, February 16, 1995 during the House of Commons Debate over the second reading of Bill C-68: "We say that it will cost $85 million." "We are confident we will demonstrate that the figures are realistic and accurate";

WHEREAS the Honourable Allan Rock stated "This legislation will help us preserve the peaceful charter of Canadian society and help police fight crime and violence";

WHEREAS information obtained under Access to Information Act reveals the cost to taxpayers to be $325 million from 1995 to 1999;

WHEREAS a large portion of the act was implemented in the year 2000 it is estimated the costs have ballooned to $300 million for the year 2000. User fees have been estimated to generate $16 million, thereby incurring a deficit of over $500 million; and

WHEREAS the Canadian Police Association issued a news release asking the federal government for "the tools, resources and technology to compete with today’s sophisticated criminals";

BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities petition the federal government to evaluate the costs vs. the intent of Bill C-68, and make public the results of the enquiry, to determine if this is the most cost effective way to preserve the peaceful character of Canadian society and help the police fight crime and violence.

-Town of Port Hope and Hope, Ontario

CONFERENCE DECISION: Category "A"; RESOLUTION ADOPTED AS AMENDED

I. Amendments: Replace the words "hold a public enquiry to evaluate the exorbitant deficit" with "evaluate the costs"

  Add the words: "and make public the results of the enquiry"

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)

Resolution No. 53 – (1997)

WHEREAS, Bill C68 gives law enforcement officers (whether regular police officers or special enforcement officers) the right to enter and search any property without warrant or permission on the belief that a firearm may be present;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Bill C68 be repealed.

WHEREAS, the federal government has passed Bill C68 which is geared at property rights and not in pith and substance criminal legislation and plans to begin registry of all firearms as early as October of 1998; and

WHEREAS, a dangerous legal precedent will be established, prohibiting ownership and possession of legally, acquired personal property and allowing for the confiscation thereof by police; and

WHEREAS, most people in Saskatchewan do not want to register their personal property and non compliance on an individual basis for any reason will result in confiscation of person property, prohibition of ownership, search and seizure by police, and imprisonment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the provincial government take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the implementation of Bill C68 and the ramifications thereof are not legally binding within the Province of Saskatchewan, including the refusal of the Saskatchewan Provincial Justice Department to prosecute charges laid under Bill C68; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the provincial government insist that the federal government grant autonomy to the province of Saskatchewan in all matters involving firearms; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the provincial government form an alliance with all other provinces who oppose Bill C68 requesting that they do the same.

WHEREAS the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has publicly spoken out against the new federal gun control legislation, and

WHEREAS the provincial government has refused to participate in the administration of the federal gun control legislation, and

WHEREAS we at the municipal level have been approached by the federal registration system to provide the use of our offices to the Firearms Verifiers Network, and

WHEREAS the federal government does not offer any compensation to either the verifiers or to the rural municipalities; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the membership of SARM prohibit the use of any and all municipal property by the verifier program as it is already a matter of public record that we as an association are against firearms registration.

WHEREAS the gun registration law enact by the Government of Canada has proved to be costly to administer, and will penalize those law abiding citizens who own guns, while the criminal element which have guns will not register them; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities reaffirm their position in opposition to the gun registration law.

WHEREAS several provinces, including the province of Saskatchewan, have opted out of the enforcement of gun registration, and

WHEREAS the federal government will use the RCMP to enforce its gun registration legislation in spite of overwhelming opposition  to the legislation, and

WHEREAS police forces should reflect the values of the majority of the population they are policing; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of Saskatchewan end its agreement with the RCMP to provide policing which is paid for by the province and local government and that a provincial police force, that is far more accountable to the people of Saskatchewan, be formed.

General Resolution – (2001)

WHEREAS the federal government has been in the process for the past 5 years preparing and passing law for registration of all firearms and which will come into effect in 2003; and

WHEREAS the Veterans of the Royal Canadian Legion carry and use firearms in two world wars and know the results of weapons also how to properly care for weapons; and

WHEREAS most Veterans are wildlife members and also teach gun safety courses to all ages of people.  They also strongly feel that the law of gun registration will not deter criminal activity for murders, also feel it is an infringement on their rights;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Royal Canadian Legion stand united together to oppose this Firearms Act and request the Federal government to rescind the Legislation

MELFORT BRANCH NO. 30       CONCUR

34.  Gun Control Legislation – (1995)

WHEREAS Saskatchewan residents have a long and strong tradition of participating in sports, hunting, and other tourism activities using firearms and are proud of the responsible manner in which firearms are employed by residents for these purposes, and

WHEREAS Saskatchewan communities greatly benefit from the tourism generated by sport, hunting, gun trade and other related firearm activities, and

WHEREAS the federal government will be imposing stricter gun control legislation for rifles, shotguns and handguns that is overly restrictive and unnecessary considering that legitimate firearms owners register their guns and follow stringent regulations, and

WHEREAS the proposed restrictions will not address the problem of criminal use of firearms and instead result in pointless and unfair red tape for legitimate firearms owners and will generate a great expense for the Canadian taxpayer; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association support reasonable and effective gun control legislation in Canada, but not in the form and direction the federal government is currently proposing, and

THAT SUMA is opposed to national gun registry and other onerous and unnecessary amendments being put forward by the federal government.

10 April 2001
 

Honourable Buckley Belanger
Minister of Environment & Resource Management

Dear Sir:

 The Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers (SACO) continues to be concerned with the implications of Bill C-68.

 We are concerned that this legislation will continue to erode the rights of First Nations, Metis and non-aboriginal peoples. The lawful use of firearms, in our view, is a cultural right for all of Saskatchewan’s people.

 From a work perspective, we believe that the enforcement of Bill C-68 will make our jobs much more dangerous. People who are normally very law-abiding could become very aggressive if they believe that Conservation Officers are enforcing Bill C-68.

 Therefore, the Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers is asking you, as the Minister of SERM, to urge Premier Lorne Calvert to use any and all legal means to oppose Bill C-68, including use of the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Constitution.

 We would be willing to discuss our concerns in greater detail with you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely yours,
 
 

Daryl Minter, President
Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers

PUBLICATION:  The Edmonton Sun
DATE:  2001.10.26
SECTION:  News
PAGE:  3
SOURCE:  Legislature Bureau
BYLINE:  David Sands

MOUNTING CONCERNS; PROVINCIAL FORCE WOULD BE 'MORE RESPONSIVE' TO LOCAL ISSUES, SAY TOP COPS

Alberta's top city cops "strongly" want the RCMP replaced with a Provincial police force.  The bombshell recommendation is contained in a united submission to the provincial government by chiefs of police in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and three smaller municipal forces.  "That's very, very sensitive, that one," said Lethbridge police Chief John LaFlamme, president of the chiefs' association that has taken the stand.

"We believe that a provincial police service would be more responsive to local policing concerns," the chiefs wrote in a report obtained by The Sun under the Freedom of Information Act. "This initiative is strongly supported."

They want the proposed new police force to take over all duties now contracted to the RCMP. "We are not at all questioning the ability of RCMP officers," LaFlamme said. "They are a very professional organization."

The city chiefs, however, believe the national force is ill-equipped to deal with local policing. "They have a federal mandate, in Alberta they have a provincial mandate, and in a number of cities and towns they have a municipal mandate. If you have a provincial police force, you don't have to worry about three levels," LaFlamme said, adding the new provincial force would only replace the RCMP in rural areas and small towns where they have contracts to police. Larger centers like Edmonton would remain status quo.

And the Mounties, he added, are being choked for cash and pushed for more service on all three levels. "In my mind, I firmly believe that the RCMP do not have sufficient resources to effectively deliver provincial policing."

Mounties - who have a member on the chiefs' group - were unaware of the position the group has taken. "That's news to us," said RCMP K-Division Insp. Tom Middleton. "What do they mean, 'responsive'? It's kind of a loose thing."

The RCMP ask local leaders annually for policing priorities and issue quarterly reports on their work, he said. And their staff has been reinforced. "Things got a little tight" in the late 1990s, Middleton said.
"It got to the point where it impacted on our core services, but we're back to full strength now."

Mounties get nearly $100 million from the province to police outside city cops' areas, and are the police for 63 municipalities.   Of just over 2,000 RCMP officers in Alberta, nearly 1,800 work on municipal or provincial policing. "We give the best policing for the money put forward," said Middleton. "More cash, more cops, that's the bottom line."

According to Middleton, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics figures show that the annual per-capita expenditure for city cops in Calgary is $163. In Edmonton it's $190.  For RCMP in St. Albert it's $55, in Sherwood Park it's $76.

The submission by the chiefs was made to a provincial MLAs committee that is to make recommendations next month on changes to Alberta's Police Act.

NEWS RELEASE
June 21, 2000
For Immediate Release

POLICE SAY: GUN REGISTRY IS "DEEPLY, AND POSSIBLY, FATALLY FLAWED"

Police Association letter: "To think criminals will be affected by this legislation is asinine."

Ottawa - Today, Garry Breitkreuz, Official Opposition Firearms Critic and MP for Yorkton-Melville, made public a copy of leaked letter that adds credence to his claims that the police associations are getting ready to withdraw their "official" support from the Liberal's useless $400 million gun registry.  "We always knew that the vast majority of police on the street opposed the gun registration scheme, now we have proof that the executive who represent these rank-and-file officers are finally starting to get the message."

Breitkreuz released a copy of a letter from the Ontario Senior Officers' Police Association to Solicitor General Lawrence MacAuley dated Friday, January 21, 2000.  The 8-page letter provides even more evidence that the gun registry is in serious trouble and corroborates reports given to Justice Minister Anne McLellan by her own User Group on Firearms.  The letter states, "There is little doubt that the legislation is deeply, and possibly fatally flawed.  There was ample time to research and prepare appropriately for a feasible and workable act - this was not done, in our view."

Here are a few more quotable quotes from the police association letter to the Liberal government::

II.        This...has produced bitterness, acrimony, divisive bickering...and an act which, to be kind, is ineffective .
III.       It has created a bureaucratic quagmire and its deterrent effect is questionable, at best.
IV.       A glance at Bill C68 is all that is required to realize that a law degree is required to understand and use it.
V.        Several thousand FIP hits...because they have been extracted several times for the same incident.
VI.       The original matter has to be re-investigated.  Surely, this is not how the system was designed to work.
VII.      Transfers now take up to three days to complete.  The sale or purchase of a house can take less time.
VIII.     Firearms businesses are closing because of the...legislation as it is presently constituted.  This is outrageous.
IX.       The program still lacks the proper modules for Firearms Officers.
X.        It does not store information, and never will, back to the CFRS system, which was supposed to be the case.
XI.      The system is extremely slow (license applications take seven minutes on average each to open and approve).
XII.     The computers are as slow now as at the outset of the program.
XIII.    The CFRS system is not user friendly.  It is cumbersome and awkward. It is slow and painful.
XIV.    This training had to be conducted throughout the province at a substantial cost to the taxpayer.
XV.     The question is why does Quebec have their own site at all!
XVI.    The implementation of the act should be halted, or funded and staffed to appropriate levels.
XVII.   They all recognize a disastrously flawed piece of legislation, which is a bureaucratic miasma.

The police association letter to the Solicitor General ended like this, "It is never too late to correct a situation, provided the political will exists."  I couldn't have put it better myself," concluded Breitkreuz.

For a copy of the letter please call:
Yorkton Office: (306) 782-3309
Ottawa Office:  (613) 992-4394
E-mail:   breitg0@parl.gc.ca
Web Site: www.garrybreitkreuz.com