In my initial post I spoke about the three priorities in my campaign and how these three priorities, Family, Community and Country will become the crucible by which I will test ideas and decisions. Even the most arcane political motion is at its root trying to change something. Make it better. The question I will be asking though, is better for who?  Will it make things better for Prince George/Peace River? For my country? For families? For community?

Secondly, the things I believe and support fall out from these things. My family is a priority, and as a result, I have a passion for things that influence not just my family but families in general. The family is the building block of our country.  As Jane Howard said, “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

We all want our children to grow up in a safe environment.  I appreciate the work the conservative party has done to promote a safe Canada.  The Tackling Violent Crime Act was a huge step towards Justice reform within Canada.  The new Child Advocacy Centres is another step the Conservative government has taken towards ensuring that victims—not criminals—have a stronger voice in the criminal justice system.

But there’s more to family than simply ensuring safety.

I have been blessed with a rather large family.  I am the mother of five wonderful children and five, soon to be six, beautiful grandchildren.  Being able to provide financially for my family has always been my priority.  I believe in working hard and being rewarded with a paycheck for the work you do.

I raised four of my children as a single mother, so I understand the impacts of decisions that affect single parent families and single income families. This riding is fortunate to have so many people who have a solid work ethic. We must ensure that there are employment opportunities so that parents can provide for their families.  We must also create an environment that encourages business growth and   development so Canadian companies can compete within a global market.

I don’t want to see families bearing such a tax burden that they can’t afford to live, (especially single income/or single parent families),but at the same time, I want families to be able to access fair and equitable health care.

There is specific legislation that targets the family.  In 2006 the Conservative Government released the “Stand Up For Canada” document that has a section specific to initiatives that directly impact the family. Much of what government does has an impact on the family and that is something that I  take very seriously.

Hello

In reviewing your campaign materials I do not see any mention of your position on civil rights affecting firearms ownership and use.

What is your position on matters such as armed self defense, licensing, registration, and repeal of the PC (Kim Campbell) and Liberal Firearms Act (1995)?  I look forward to your response.

Thanks,

Sheldon Clare, M.A. (Hons.), B.A., A.A.

President

Prince George Rod and Gun Club

www.pgrgclub.ca/

Thank you so much for your email.  I appreciate you taking the time to ask me my stand on these items.

I would like to say first of all, that I feel my job as an MP would be to speak for the people of the riding so I am not entering this with a personal agenda.  It matters far less where I stand and far more where the people of this riding stand on issues. My job as an MP would be to represent the people of the riding, to give them a voice in Ottawa.

Being from a community the size of Tumbler Ridge, I am used to representing an area with a smaller population base and ensuring that their issues are represented.  With the Prince George Peace River riding sitting at just over 104,000 people, this is a small population riding but it is also one of the economic hubs of our country and the people of this riding deserve to be heard.

That being said, I can give you my opinion on firearms.

I grew up in a home where my father was a police officer, he taught me early on to respect firearms.  My son also became an RCMP officer and I have worked within the RCMP system for many years with victims of crime, so firearms have been part of my life for a very long time.

I think the long gun registry is costing us far more than what we are getting in return.  In talking with RCMP officers who are front line, they don’t really see a use for it.  In fact they have said that if an RCMP officer uses a data base to decide whether or not a person owns a gun and then uses this to determine how to approach the situation, the officer is putting his/herself at risk.  A police officer should always approach with caution (it is part of the training) and that should not change because of a data base.

I think the federal government needs to work with the provinces and territories on programs which are put in place to keep guns out of the hands of criminals while respecting that law abiding Canadians (the majority of Canadians) who wish to own firearms have that right.  I have never bought into the idea that if a small portion of the population abuses or misuses something, we need to get rid of it for all Canadians…what we need to do is ensure that those who abuse or misuse are faced with deterrents.

This being said I also don’t buy into the idea that people should be able to purchase guns without some sort of screening measures put in place.  I also think that training is essential.

I hope this answers your question,