Question Period Note: Government measures to reduce gun violence

• The Government is deeply committed to protecting our communities and to reducing gun violence in this country.
• Our Government has acted. We strengthened controls on firearms through Bill C-71, and we invested over $327 million to address the problem of gun and gang violence.
• We have consulted with provincial and territorial partners, mayors, law enforcement, and key stakeholders.
• Their message was clear. More needs to be done to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and keep our communities safe.
• We fully intend to both strengthen our gun laws and make important investments to prevent and combat gun violence.

• For the past several decades, overall crime rates in Canada have generally been decreasing. However, in recent years firearms-related homicides have increased. Firearms-related homicide doubled from 2013 to 2017 (134 to 267) but fell slightly in 2018 (249). Shootings have now become the most common method of homicide. According to police, gang violence accounted for approximately 52% of firearms-related homicides in 2017.
• This rising firearms-related violence is fueling public concern and giving rise to demands for federal action to curtail the availability of firearms in Canada.
Guns and Gangs
• The Government has made federal investments of up to $327.6 million over five years, and $100 million ongoing, to establish the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence. The majority of resources, approximately $214 million over 5 years is allocated to provinces and territories (PTs) to combat the issue of gun and gang violence in communities across Canada. These resources complement existing efforts under the National Crime Prevention Strategy through the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, which received additional $8 million over four years beginning 2019.
• Ten PTs have signed multi-year funding agreements under the GGVAF. Quebec and PEI are currently in the process of negotiating and finalizing their contribution agreements so funding may flow as soon as possible. The Government also provided $86 million to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency to enhance firearms investigations and strengthen controls at the border to prevent illegal firearms from entering the country.
Bill C-71, An Act to amend Certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms
• Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019.
• Provisions clarifying that seized firearms are considered forfeited to the Crown have come into force, as have those allowing remaining long-gun registration records to be transferred to Quebec.
• Provisions related to licence verification, eligibility, vendor record-keeping and transportation would be brought into force through Orders in Council, once the necessary administrative changes have been made, funding has been approved and the associated regulations have been tabled in Parliament.

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