From the Leader’s desk: November 2014

November 29, 2014

On Tuesday, the Auditor General issued a report that serves as a shameful reminder of the Conservatives’ record on Canadian veterans; it provided yet more evidence that veterans cannot get timely access to the mental health services they need. Please watch Dennis and Jenifer (French) share their stories with Canadians.

That Stephen Harper’s priorities are not Canadians’ priorities was further confirmed on Wednesday, as Parliament debated the Conservative gun bill, C-42.

This legislation will place Canadians’ safety at risk. Not only will it take the power to classify firearms out of the hands of the police and put it in the hands of politicians like Stephen Harper, but it will greatly ease restrictions on the transport of handguns and automatic weapons so that they can be freely transported anywhere – from a grocery store to a soccer field to a school parking lot. We think Canadians agree this is wrong. That is why the Liberal Party of Canada cannot and will not support the bill.

We will not bring back a gun registry, but we do need smart and well-crafted gun control legislation. In its current form, C-42 is neither; instead it makes Canadians less safe.

As Liberals, we remain focused on building a strong team and plan for all Canadians. Thank you for your continued hope and hard work.

Justin Trudeau
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada