The Conservative government's firearms advisory committee, appointed and operating in virtual secrecy, is made up almost entirely of pro-gun advocates opposed to the firearms registry.
Its dozen members include a man who argued that more guns in the hands of students would have helped in the recent Virginia Tech massacre, in which 32 people were killed, and another shooting aficionado who described a weapon used in last September's Dawson College killings in Montreal as "fun."
In background research obtained and confirmed by the Star, members of the Conservatives' committee have shown themselves to be vocal proponents of gun use.
"If even 1 per cent of the students and staff at Virginia Tech had been allowed to exercise their right to self defence, then this tragedy would have been stopped in its very beginning and dozens of lives would have been saved," Dr. Mike Ackermann, a Nova Scotia physician, wrote in a letter to the Ottawa Sun in April. "There are never any mass killings at shooting ranges; only at schools and other so-called `gun-free zones.'
Quack of the Week
Sounds like Dr. Mike is more interested in representing the St. Mary's Shooters Association (he is President), rather than the health interests of Canadians.
Gary Mauser, a Simon Fraser University professor renowned for his work opposing gun laws, wrote an opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun in February: "Firearm laws divert scarce resources from alternative approaches that might actually improve public safety."
by Gary Mauser
The only apparent acknowledgment of the committee's membership was found in a letter by MP Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton Melville) to constituents in which he pointed to the makeup of the panel as evidence of the Tories' intent to be more gun friendly.
"In October, the minister's new firearms advisory committee met in Ottawa for the first time. The difference between the Liberal government and the Conservative government is obvious by the people that make up the committee," Breitkreuz wrote in the letter dated Dec. 15, 2006.
He named Ackermann, Mauser and 10 other members:
Tony Bernardo, Canadian Institute of Legislative Action.
Linda Thom, Olympic gold medallist in pistol shooting.
Alain Cossette, Quebec Wildlife Federation.
Greg Farrant, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Linda Baggaley, firearms expert and dealer from Alberta.
Stephen Torino, Quebec firearms expert and dealer.
Louis D'amour, New Brunswick firearms expert.
Gerry Gamble, Sporting Clubs of Niagara.
Robert Head, former RCMP assistant commissioner.
John Gayder, Niagara police.
Murray Grismer, Saskatoon police.
The Conservative Party of Canada Policy Declaration
as approved by the Convention on March 19, 2005.
81. Firearms
A Conservative Government will repeal Canada's costly gun registry legislation and work with the provinces
and territories on cost-effective gun control programs designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals
while respecting the rights of law-abiding Canadians to own and use firearms responsibly. Measures will
include: mandatory minimum sentences for the criminal use of firearms; strict monitoring of high-risk
individuals; crackdown on the smuggling; safe storage provisions; firearms safety training; a certification
screening system for all those wishing to acquire firearms legally; and putting more law enforcement officers on our streets.
LUFA Grassroots not for profit organization formed in 1998 to fight Bill C-68 (Firearms Act)
CSSA
Ottawa rejects call for handgun ban
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day suggests such a move would be useless, and might do more harm than good.
We welcome this refreshing breath of truth and common sense. Now is a good time for all shooters to show their appreciation to the Honourable Public Safety Minister.
Bruce Gold
Feb. 15, 2007
The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is a key element of the Action Plan that was announced in February 2003, by the Solicitor General of Canada and the Minister of Justice. The Committee is comprised of experienced individuals outside of government who provide ongoing advice on policy, program and administrative matters and who serve on a voluntary basis. The Commissioner of Firearms chairs the PAC.
Program Advisory Committee Members
Linda Baggaley
President, Bud Haynes Auctions
Red Deer, Alberta
Linda Baggaley is President of Bud Haynes Auctions in Red Deer, Alberta the oldest established Gun Auction in Canada. Linda is also a charter member of the Canadian Auctioneers Association. She is a former member of the Minister's User Group on Firearms.
Jim Bouchard
Radville, Saskatchewan
Mr. Bouchard, a former member of the Minister's User Group on Firearms, is the owner and operator of a 1700-acre grain and cattle farm in southeast Saskatchewan.
Wendy Cukier
Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Cukier is a tenured professor at Ryerson University; in addition, she is the coordinator for the Small Arms/Firearms Education Research Network and volunteer President of the Canadian Coalition for Gun Control.
David Griffin
Executive Officer
Canadian Professional Police Association
Ottawa, Ontario
Mr. Griffin is responsible for the implementation of the Canadian Professional Police Association's justice reform agenda and the government and public advocacy program. He also manages the Association's affairs.
Peter E. Larson
Executive Vice-President
Public Policy Forum
Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Larson has extensive experience working with both the public and private sectors and has authored or directed a large number of studies and research reports concerning a wide range of public administration issues.
Marilou McPhedran
Toronto, Ontario
Ms. McPhedran is a lawyer, consultant, and volunteer for many causes that focus on equality and health. She is the co-founder and past Chair of the Board of Metrac – the Metro Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children.
Leslie A. Pal
Director, School of Public Policy and Administration
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Pal is the author, co-author or editor of 19 books and his consulting practice includes work with the Ukrainian Academy of Public Administration and the Open Society Institute (Budapest), the World Bank and the Hong Kong Civil Service Training and Development Institute.
Dave Paplawski
Conservation Education Coordinator
Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association
Calgary, Alberta
Mr. Paplawski is a former Alberta government employee who now is the Conservation Education Coordinator for the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association in Calgary. AHEIA coordinates the delivery of provincial hunter safety instruction and our Canadian Firearms Safety Courses. He is a former member of the Minister's User Group on Firearms.
Robert Simon
Director General, Centre de prévention du suicide
Chicoutimi, Québec
Dr. Simon is Director General of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Suicide Prevention Centre and has worked with wildlife and outdoor groups to stress the importance of safe firearms storage.
Peter Sorensen
President, PRP International Inc.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Mr. Sorensen has extensive experience in project management, including serving as the Government of Canada project leader for the Confederation Bridge Project.
Stephen Torino
Montreal, Quebec
Mr. Torino, the former Chair of the Minister's User Group on Firearms, is a chartered accountant and long-time firearms' collector and target shooter. In addition, he has held numerous executive positions in trapshooting and collecting associations.
Vince Westwick
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
Ottawa, Ontario
Mr. Westwick is General Counsel of the Ottawa Police Service. A former police officer, he is Co-chair of the Law Amendments Committee of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
Alan Winberg
Senior Visiting Fellow, Public Management
Canadian Centre for Management Development
Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Winberg has served in different Assistant Deputy Minister positions at Human Resources Development Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat. He has also held senior positions in a number of other government departments.
