As NDP MP for Churchill I have always said it is important to stand up for our region.
Last week that is exactly what I did when I voted against the gun registry.
People in Northern Manitoba have expressed concerns about the registry from the beginning. It impacted on hunters and trappers throughout the North. It became a billion dollar boondoggle. It clearly didn't fit our region.
When the legislation was first introduced by the then Liberal government there was a great deal of debate. Sports hunters objected. First Nations said it violated treaty rights. In the end it was brought into law. Of the nine NDP MP's, eight voted against it.
Over the years there has been a great deal of controversy over the issue. Up until this past week there had never been a direct vote on the issue.
The feedback from my constituents was clear. My position was also clear. I voted in favour of the bill that would end the registry.
One other thing is clear as well. There is no excuse for the U.S. style negative campaigning that we have seen around the issue. It was particularly unacceptable that the government caucus sent a taxpayer-funded leaflet from Brad Trost, the Saskatoon-Humboldt riding Conservative MP, who is from totally outside our region, into our riding that was full of mistruths.
I am also disappointed in some of the negative attacks on some of us that voted against the registry.
I respect those that have a different view on the registry. I hope they will respect our view here in Northern Manitoba.
Despite last week's vote the issue is not over yet. The bill is a private members bill, not a government bill and has several more steps to go. I believe that we should have a clear vote on this issue once and for all.
In the meantime I will continue to stand up for our region.
