Last week, the Trudeau government introduced Bill C-21, which would dramatically expand police powers in Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau claims the legislation will combat gun violence and keep communities safe, but none of the bill’s provisions directly address gun violence or violent crime.
Instead, the bill demonizes legal firearms owners, who are not the problem, invents a variety of new administrative crimes and creates a “red flag” law that allows police to search and seize property (with a court order) on the grounds that a potentially dangerous individual has a firearm. Of course, the “red flag” provision is not new. Such a provision already exists and has for 20 years. Concerned individuals can dial 911 or medical doctors can call the Chief Firearms Officer.
