County of Vermilion River does not support Bill C-21

The County of Vermilion River has written a letter to Justin Trudeau the Prime Minister of Canada to express their concerns with respect
to Bill C-21 to make changes to the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act and to make it known the County of Vermilion River does not support this Bill.

Lonnie Wolgien is the Reeve of the County of Vermilion River and wrote the letter on Aug. 4.

“Our objection is in respect to the provision to allow municipalities to create handgun bylaws, which would place conditions on Federal firearms licenses relating to handgun use, storage or transportation within municipalities which have passed such bylaws,” Reeve Wolgien wrote in the letter. “Please be advised the County of Vermilion River passed a motion at its Regular Meeting of Council on July 27, 2021 to not support Bill C-21.”

Reeve Wolgien says with the Province of Alberta sending Bill 211 to Royal Assent on April 29, 2021, our Provincial Government is ensuring the Municipalities are not saddled with trying to find the resources to impose or enforce gun control by creating inconsistent bylaws between jurisdictions.

“Most Municipalities across our province are rural in nature and would be faced with the same problems in attempting to enforce legislation of this nature,” Reeve Wolgien said. “We are anticipating the sentiment will be the same across most jurisdictions and hope other municipalities in opposition will make their position known to the Federal Government as well.”

Reeve Wolgien says the County of Vermilion River is also concerned that Bill C-21 is only targeting citizens that have licenses, not criminals
that have already obtained firearms illegally and would never comply with a municipal bylaw.

“This will create a very confusing system that could result in an otherwise law-abiding citizen, now being sentenced to two years  imprisonment or permanent license revocation for unknowingly being in contravention of a bylaw in a community with different bylaws,” Reeve Wolgien said in the letter. “We thank you for your attention in this matter and request that the Federal Government will reconsider these changes to the Criminal Code and Firearms Act.”

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca