National Gun Registry Discussed

Nova Scotia Justice Minister Jamie Muir is taking the federal government to task for spending too much money on the controversial gun control registry.

On Monday, April 7, Mr. Muir met with Canada's solicitor general, Wayne Easter, to discuss the province's concerns with the national registry.

"The federal government has put another $59 million into the gun registry, and another $113 million is expected in the near future," said Mr. Muir. "The costs are already running at $2 billion. I want to know when the flow of taxpayers' dollars will stop."

In an effort to streamline the system, the gun registry program was to be transferred from the federal Justice Department to the solicitor general of Canada. The transfer was to take place on April 1, and has now been postponed. As well, the federal government outlined a number of actions to improve the system, including the creation of an annual audit and evaluation plan.
Costs are expected to rise in this fiscal year and again in 2004- 05. The objective of the plan is to reduce and stabilize costs at about $67 million annually by 2008-09.

"They're predicting costs will stabilize in five years based on their action plan," said Mr. Muir. "Are we supposed to trust them based on their track record?"

Mr. Muir called on the federal government to place a moratorium on the system until there is some transparency and accountability built into the process.